Chapter 3 THE ENGLISH COLONIES

NEW ENGLAND COLONIES Colonies –MA, NH, CT, RI Climate/Geography – bitterly cold winters and mild summers; Short growing season Land was flat close to the coastline but became hilly and mountainous farther inland. Soil was generally rocky, making farming difficult. Cold winters reduced the spread of disease. Religion – dominated by the Puritans, reformers seeking to “purify” Christianity, who came over from England to practice religion without persecution. strict rules & intolerant of other religions, eventually absorbing the separatist Pilgrims in Massachusetts by 1629. Life = dominated by church; severe consequences for those who failed to attend, or, those who spoke out against the Puritan ways. Singing and celebrating holidays were among things prohibited in Puritan New England. (Note – any religious day would also include a fasting. Hmmm…Thanksgiving: myth or truth?) Economy – largely dependent on the ocean Fishing (especially codfish) whaling, trapping, shipbuilding, and logging were important also “triangular trade” - shippers = wealthy buying slaves from West Africa in return for rum, and selling the slaves to the West Indies in return for molasses.

MASSACHUSETTS Settlers: First by Pilgrims led by William Bradford; later by Puritans led by John Winthrop Reasons for settlement: To escape religious persecution Climate and geography: Harsh winters and warm summers; rich pastures and forests Economy: Crop and livestock farming, lumbering Religion: Puritan Government: self-governing, as described in the Mayflower Compact

NEW HAMPSHIRE Settlers: John Wheelwright & John Mason in 1623 Reasons for settlement: It was a planned colony Farming & Fishing. At one point it was part of MA Bay colony Climate and geography: Cold winters and mild summers; forested hills and seacoast Economy: Fishing, manufacturing, small farms, trade, use of apprentices, little use of slaves Religion: Puritan Government: Self-governing, with written constitution

CONNECTICUT Settlers: Former Massachusetts Puritans led by Thomas Hooker Reasons for settlement: To establish a new settlement apart from Massachusetts Puritans Climate and Geography: Cold winters and mild summers; forested hills and seacoast Economy: Farming, shipbuilding, fishing, whaling Religion: Puritan Government: Self-governing, with written constitution

RHODE ISLAND Settlers: Former Puritans from Massachusetts led by Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson Reasons for settlement: Religious freedom from the Puritans Climate and geography: Humid summers and cold winters; coastal lowlands and rocky woodlands Economy: Farming, lumbering, shipbuilding, fishing, whaling Religion: Various faiths Government: Self-governing