Date: 11/20/2025
New England
Massachusetts
A group of Puritans settled in and founded The Massachusetts Bay colony in the early 1600s.
The Puritans left England because they were facing religious persecution and were seeking
religious freedom. The Puritans hoped to create a model Christian "city upon a hill," meaning
that the Massachusetts colony would shine like an example to the new world. The Puritans of
Massachusetts dominated all aspects of life within the colony, including government. This meant
that the church and church leaders were in charge of the colony.
The land was rocky and soil thinner than in the other colonies. Because the land was so rocky,
there were many naturally occurring harbors, allowing for ports such as Boston. The winters
were long and harsh while the summers were mild.
The initial economy revolved around ship building, lumber, fishing and the fur trade. Most
families resorted to subsistence farming to provide only enough for their families. The colony
was the first to legalize the enslavement of Africans and American Indians.
Local laws were made in town meetings where all male church members were allowed to vote.
Eventually, Massachusetts would adopt the representative assembly model
Rhode Island
Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson disagreed with and challenged the authority of the
Puritans leaders of Massachusetts. Williams did not believe that the leaders of the church
should also lead the government of the colony. Both Williams and Hutchinson were banished
from Massachusetts. After being banished, they eventually settled and established the colony of
Rhode Island in order to practice religious freedom.
Cold winters and mild summers with hilly, forested terrain with rocky soil. Very similar to
Massachusetts. Colonists prospered in several different activities including shipbuilding, trade,
whaling, fishing, timber, fur trading, livestock, and maple syrup. Based on their founders' beliefs,
the government was religiously tolerant and included the separation of church and state.
Connecticut
Connecticut was founded when Thomas Hooker and his Puritan congregation decided to leave
Massachusetts because they disagreed with some of the laws and requirements the Puritans
had established. For example, in Massachusetts only church members could vote and
participate in government. They established what is now Connecticut to avoid such strict
policies.
New England
Massachusetts
A group of Puritans settled in and founded The Massachusetts Bay colony in the early 1600s.
The Puritans left England because they were facing religious persecution and were seeking
religious freedom. The Puritans hoped to create a model Christian "city upon a hill," meaning
that the Massachusetts colony would shine like an example to the new world. The Puritans of
Massachusetts dominated all aspects of life within the colony, including government. This meant
that the church and church leaders were in charge of the colony.
The land was rocky and soil thinner than in the other colonies. Because the land was so rocky,
there were many naturally occurring harbors, allowing for ports such as Boston. The winters
were long and harsh while the summers were mild.
The initial economy revolved around ship building, lumber, fishing and the fur trade. Most
families resorted to subsistence farming to provide only enough for their families. The colony
was the first to legalize the enslavement of Africans and American Indians.
Local laws were made in town meetings where all male church members were allowed to vote.
Eventually, Massachusetts would adopt the representative assembly model
Rhode Island
Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson disagreed with and challenged the authority of the
Puritans leaders of Massachusetts. Williams did not believe that the leaders of the church
should also lead the government of the colony. Both Williams and Hutchinson were banished
from Massachusetts. After being banished, they eventually settled and established the colony of
Rhode Island in order to practice religious freedom.
Cold winters and mild summers with hilly, forested terrain with rocky soil. Very similar to
Massachusetts. Colonists prospered in several different activities including shipbuilding, trade,
whaling, fishing, timber, fur trading, livestock, and maple syrup. Based on their founders' beliefs,
the government was religiously tolerant and included the separation of church and state.
Connecticut
Connecticut was founded when Thomas Hooker and his Puritan congregation decided to leave
Massachusetts because they disagreed with some of the laws and requirements the Puritans
had established. For example, in Massachusetts only church members could vote and
participate in government. They established what is now Connecticut to avoid such strict
policies.
