The New England colonies
Bilal, Eric, Jenna, Kody, & Matt
Why was this colony founded?
- The primary motivation for the New England and Middle Colonies establishments was religious freedom; everyone was accepted— no matter what religion.
- Few were looking for money, which was a bigger motivation for those in the Middle Colonies and Southern Colonies.
- Founders of the Southern Colonies were out to make money by working on a plantation with their family and making money in the American Market.
What role did religion play?
- People in the New England Colonies came seeking religious freedom.
Without this, who would have come to the New World?
- The population, as all populations, develops an area.
- European countries were intolerant of religions other than the religion accepted by the government.
- Churches in American colonies were gathering places; they had church and town meetings, and was held for other services as well.
- It became a multipurpose building in the center of the town area.
The majority of New England was strictly Puritan.
What were the economic conditions?
- The economy was largely farming and fishing communities.
- Food was grown, and clothes and shoes were made.
- Main crops like wheat and corn grew and some were sent to England because of the exorbitant amount.
- Foods not growing in America was shipped from England, most likely from Boston—the major New England port.
Rhode Island
- Founded by Roger Williams in 1636
Connecticut
- Founded by Thomas Hooker in 1636
Massachusetts
- Founded by John Winthrop in 1630
New Hampshire
- Founded by John Wheelwright in 1638
What were the geographical characteristics?
- Rhode Island- 1,545 square miles, making it the smallest state. 500 of which is water, has sandy beaches, lagoons, and rocky land along the coastline, cold winters; monthly average low temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Massachusetts- Has 5 rivers—the Charles River, Connecticut River, Hoosic River, Housatonic River, and Merrimack River, has a jagged indented coast from Rhode island to Cape Cod, fertile land with a thick pasture.
- Connecticut- fertile land with a thick pasture, mostly hills with rocky soil, highest point is Mount Frissell at 2,380 feet above sea level.
- New Hampshire- Has rugged mountains, blue lakes, and sandy lakes and ocean beaches, contained within the Appalachian Highlands, average monthly low temperature is 9 degrees Fahrenheit, making New Hampshire very cold.
Other facts?
- People of the New England villages were close.
- New England Colonists fished for whale rather than whales because whale oil was valuable.
- Farms needed many people to help so families would manage farms together.
- The cold weather made it the hardest colony to farm in.
- Schools were set to teach Christianity, and later Latin schools were made to teach Latin and math.