The New England Colonies

Massachusetts  Founded by John Winthrop  Reasons for leaving England: Puritans wanted religious freedom from the Church of England Younger sons wanted to own property, which they could not do in England

Puritans  Puritans – did not separate entirely from the Church of England Wanted to reform the church with simpler ways of worship – took Sabbath very seriously No organ music or decorated houses Believed people should worship as a community – very close knit Had town meetings – settlers discussed and voted on many issues

MA – Government  Formed the General Court – male church members chosen as elected representatives to an assembly Only Puritans could vote  Was a theocracy – area ruled by ministers

MA - Facts  Climate – cold winter, mild summers  Geography – mountainous, long coastline  Economy – hunted game, lumber, fishing, whaling, farming, shipbuilding  People – Mostly British Puritans  Were often at war with the Native Americans, especially the Wampanoag due to the fact that the Puritans were taking their land

Connecticut  Founded by Thomas Hooker  Reasons for leaving MA: Believed governor and other officials had too much power

CT – Government (Politics)  Set up the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – gave the vote to all men who were property owners, including those who weren’t church members and limited the governor’s power  Very similar to idea of representative government

Connecticut  Religion – were mostly Puritans but separated church and state  Economy – shipbuilders, some small farming, dairy farmers, fishing  Climate – cold winters, mild summers  Geography – mountainous, large coastline  People – English, Dutch, Swedish, Native Americans

Rhode Island  Founded by Roger Williams  Reasons for founding RI: Williams believed the Puritans had to much control. He believed in religious tolerance – a willingness to let others practice their own beliefs.

RI – Government (Politics)  Had a general assembly - gave all white men the right to vote  Religion – Religious freedom (Jews, Catholics, Puritans, etc.)

RI  Economy – shipbuilding, fishing, whaling, some farming (mostly dairy), slave trade  Climate- cold winters and mild summers  Geography –mountainous, long coastlines  People – Mostly British, Swedish, Dutch, Native Americans

Anne Hutchinson  Prominent member of the Puritan Church  However, she questioned some of the Puritan sermons so they put her on trial. Puritans believed women did not have the right to explain God’s law  Was put on trial and ordered out of the colony  Moved to RI and eventually was killed by Indians.  The Hutchinson River Parkway in NY is named after her.

New Hampshire  Founder – John Wheelwright  Founded because he was banished from Boston  Government – Formed the “Exeter Compact” fashioned after the Mayflower Compact, under the rule of the Massachusetts governor  Economy – agriculture, shipbuilding, textiles  Climate/Geography – mountainous, harsh winters, mild summers  People - British