The New England Colonies Chapter 3 Section 2

Geography of New England Northeastern corner of the United States Northern New England: New Hampshire Vermont Maine Southern New England Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island

Hills Low mountains Large areas of forests Soil is thin and rocky—farming difficult Narrow plains along Atlantic coastline Connecticut River- world’s longest river- flows from New Hampshire and Vermont through Massachusetts and Connecticut Richest fishing grounds in the world Winters long and snowy Summer short and warm

Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Puritans had disagreement with the Church of England Did not want to split from the Church Wanted to reform the church King Charles I opposed their movement and persecuted many Puritans

The Puritans Leave England In 1630, about 900 Puritans set off in 11 ships Formed the Massachusetts Bay Company Puritans led by John Winthrop

The Massachusetts Bay Colony Main town: Boston 1643: 20,000 people lived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony Mid 1630’s: elected assembly (the General Court) Voting limited to adult male members of the Puritan Church Both general court and colony’s governor elected each year Puritans found their colony so they could worship freely. However they did not believe in religious toleration for others: recognition that other people have the right to different opinions

New Colonies Disagreements about religion led to other colonies in New England Roger Williams: minister of a church in the town of Salem Believed the Puritans should split entirely from the Church of England Forced to leave Massachusetts Bay in 1635 Moved south (Rhode Island) Bought land from Native Americans 1636- founded the town of Providence 1644- received charter to govern themselves Decided that Rhode Island would have no established church

Ann Hutchinson’s Dissent Boston woman Intelligent, strong willed, well spoken Questioned some of the Puritans teachings Put on trial in 1638- expelled from Massachusetts Established a settlement on an island that is now part of Rhode Island 1642- traveled to New York

Settling Connecticut Thomas Hooker- minister- disagreed with the Puritan leaders Left Massachusetts with 100 followers (1636) Settled in Connecticut Founded the town of Hartford

1639- colonists drew up the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1662- received charter from the king granting self-government John Wheelright- forced to leave Massachusetts 1638- moved to New Hampshire Founded town of Exeter 1680- New Hampshire a separate colony

Growth and Change Each Puritan town governed itself by setting up a town meeting- an assembly of townspeople that decides local issues Membership restricted to male heads of households Meetings set local taxes/elected people to run the towns

King Phillip’s War 1675 Chief of the Wampanoag- Metacom (also called King Phillip) tried to stop Puritan expansion Fighting last a year- costs thousands of lives Destroyed 12 English towns 1676- Metacom captured and killed Left the English colonies free to expand

Puritan Influence Declines New generation of people born Religious outlook declines Successful merchants becoming community leaders English colonies doing well Stern religious rules had less influence of the people who lived there by the 1670’s