By John Mecca, Jacob Karnick, Mason Havenstrite, Jack Van Horn

The colonies included are:  Massachusetts  Connecticut  Rhode island  New Hampshire (which in this time is part of Massachusetts, until 1680)  (Maine is also part of Massachusetts)

 Pilgrims first arrived in Plymouth Massachusetts in  They came fleeing religious persecution.  Puritans settled Massachusetts and were the main religious group. They required their children to read the bible and attend school.

 Founded by Thomas Hooker in 1636  Established for political and economical reasons  Anglican (Puritans) was the main religion. They had strict laws and even forced people to attend church on Sundays.

 Founded by Roger Williams in 1636  Established as a place for religious toleration  Anglican was again the main religion.  People were not persecuted for religious difference

 Land grants for Northern Massachusetts was given to Sir Fernando Gorges and Captain John Mason in 1622  Maine was founded by Gorges but remained part of Massachusetts till 1820  New Hampshire was founded by Mason and became independent in 1680  Christianity and Anglican was a major religion at the time.

 Rocky landscape made farming difficult  There was a very short growing season  However, there were many forests for lumber

 Since there was a plethora of trees, Lumber was a very big industry in early New England  Another major industry was fishing along the coast  Trading, subsistence farming, and whaling where also major economic activities