New England Colonies
Did you say England or New England?
New England. England is located in Europe, the New England Colonies are located in the Northeast region of the United States. They include: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. Cold harsh winters, thin and rocky soil, and a short growing season are all part of New England's geography. Though the geography did not support full scale farming, New Englanders were subsistence farmers, which means that they produced just enough food to meet the needs of their families, with little left over to sell or exchange.
So if the geography was not that good, why did people move there?
First off let's remember how the Pilgrims ended up landing in New England (click here). Once Plymouth started becoming successful, others began to think about moving to the area. One such group was a group of people who had wanted to reform the Anglican Church (aka: the Church of England). These reformers were called Puritans. Puritans were persecuted against in England due to their beliefs and began looking for a way out. In 1628, a group of Puritan settlers received a royal charter to establish the Massachusetts Bay Colony. To lead the colony, The Massachusetts Bay Company chose a Puritan named John Winthrop to be the colony's governor. Winthrop, along with 1,000 men, women, and children landed in what is now called Boston in 1630. The settlers hoped to create a city that would be a model for other Christian communities. Winthrop called it "a city upon a hill."
What about the Puritans who lived in England?
Puritans in England faced persecution and economic hard times. As a result, during the 1630s, more than 15,000 decided to journey to Massachusetts and try their luck there. This became known as the Great Migration.
With all these people in Massachusetts, was there anyone running the colony?
In the early days of the Massachusetts bay Colony, an elected group called the General Assembly ran the colony. However, with the increase of settlers came an increase of those wanting to participate in government. As a result, the company allowed for a colonial legislature and every adult male who owned property and was a member of the Puritan church was able to vote for the governor and representatives to the General Court. Though they themselves had left England for religious freedom, Puritans were now excluding those who were not Puritan from partaking in government. Puritans often criticized or persecuted non-Puritans and this lack of toleration, or the acceptance of different beliefs, led to the creation of other colonies such as Connecticut.
Connecticut
Several Puritans, along with other non-Puritans, did not approve of how Winthrop and others were running Massachusetts. A minister named Thomas Hooker was one such person. Hooker led a group of more than 100 people out of Massachusetts, to an area of land near the Connecticut River. There they settled and founded the town of Hartford. As the colony began to grow, Hooker and others adopted a plan of government called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. There were two key differences between this plan and the government of Massachusetts. First all men (no matter what religion) who owned property were allowed to vote. Secondly, the Orders limited the amount of power the governor had. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was the first written constitution in America.
Rhode Island
The colony of Rhode Island was founded much like Connecticut. The only difference was that its colonists were forced out of Massachusetts. A minister, Roger Williams, believed that people should be able to practice any religion freely and the church and government should be completely separated. Williams also believed it was wrong for settlers to take Native American land. Due to his beliefs, the government of Massachusetts banished him from the colony. Williams was to be sent back to England, but instead left Mass. before the authorities could catch him. Williams spent time with the Wampanoag people and soon after purchased land from them. The land he purchased became known as Providence.
Did Roger Williams let anyone into Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island became the first settlement in America where people of all faiths could worship their religion freely and without concern.
Who else was kicked out of Massachusetts, why, and what happened to them?
Anne Hutchinson came to Massachusetts with her husband in 1634 and began to hold religious meeting in her home in Boston. There she expressed her belief that women should have more power and questioned the religious authority of the colony's ministers. As Hutchinson's following increased, Puritans and leaders of the colony became concerned and saw her as a danger to the colony's stability. Anne was put on trial and despite having a remarkable knowledge of religion, was ordered out of the colony. Anne, her family, and some followers left Massachusetts and moved to Rhode Island.
What about New Hampshire?
Once again, lack of toleration in Massachusetts led to the establishment of a new colony. In 1638, John Wheelwright led a group of dissatisfied colonists north and out of Massachusetts to the town of Exeter. Shortly thereafter, a group of Puritans settled in Hampton and the area known as New Hampshire became fully independent of Mass. in 1679.
Economy
How did New Englanders make a living?
In order to make a living, New Englanders had a number of different jobs. Some New Englanders used the waterpower from streams to run mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber. Large towns often had blacksmiths, shoemakers, furniture makers, gunsmiths, metal smiths, and printers. Some of the more major occupations included shipbuilding and fishing. Vast amounts of lumber was shipped from New England forests to shipyards in coastal towns. Fishermen caught a wide selection of fish including: cod, halibut, crabs, oysters, and lobsters. Though it could be dangerous, whale hunting was another occupation New Englanders took up to make a living.
What was the government like in the New England Colonies?
Connecticut and Rhode Island, the charter colonies, were founded by groups of settlers who had been given a charter, or a grant of rights and privileges. These colonists elected their own governors and members of both house of legislature.
Massachusetts and New Hampshire were royal colonies. These colonies had their governor and council, known as the upper house, appointed for them by Britain. The colonists elected an assembly called the lower house.
In each of the N.E. Colonies, town meetings took place where by anyone could voice and vote on matters or concerns they had. This early experience of being able to speak their minds encouraged the growth of democracy in New England.
What was a New Englanders social life like?
A New Englanders life was driven heavily by religion. Religion played a key part in the everyday life of a New Englander. New England towns were often small and at the center of each was a common. Near the common was the meetinghouse, where Puritans worshipped and town meetings were held on a regular basis.
Did New England children have to go to school?
In order to ensure that all children were able to read the Bible, Massachusetts Puritans passed a law in 1647. This law required all parents to teach their children to "read and understand the principles of religion." Massachusetts also required all towns with 50 families to hire a schoolteacher and towns with 100 families or more had to set up a grammar school that prepared boys for college. By enacting this law, Massachusetts set up the first public schools, or schools supported by taxes. Some children served as apprentices. As an apprentice, a child would learn a specific trait or skill that they would use to make a living. They would live with the craftsmen for a certain length of time. The craftsmen was to teach the boy how to read and write, provide him with religious training, and provide food while the apprentice was to work with the craftsmen without pay and learn the skill need to succeed.
Middle Colonies
Southern Colonies