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The New England Colonies. Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New Hampshire Vermont Maine. Geography. Hills and low mountains Forests Thin and rocky soil – makes farming difficult Jagged coastline – rich fishing area Winters – long and snowy Summers – shorter and warm. Puritans.
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Massachusetts • Connecticut • Rhode Island • New Hampshire • Vermont • Maine
Geography • Hills and low mountains • Forests • Thin and rocky soil – makes farming difficult • Jagged coastline – rich fishing area • Winters – long and snowy • Summers – shorter and warm
Puritans • Disagreed with Church of England • Wanted reform • Were persecuted by King • Ministers forced to give up positions
Puritans Leave England • Formed Massachusetts Bay Company • Established settlements in Massachusetts and New Hampshire • John Winthrop – landowner, lawyer, leader • Believed their way of life would provide example for others
Massachusetts Bay Colony • Had elected assembly – General Court • Each town sent representatives • Established several settlements Boston • Had elected assembly – General Court • Each town sent representatives • Adult male church members did voting • Founded colony so they could worship as they choose • Did not believe in religious toleration - recognition that other people have the right to different opinions.
New Colonies • Came about because of religious disagreements • Roger Williams – Salem minister – believed Puritans should split entirely from Church of England – forced to leave Massachusetts Bay – founded Providence, RI • RI – no established church – people could worship as they saw fit
Anne Hutchinson – questioned Puritan teachings – expelled from Mass. – established settlement in RI • Thomas Hooker – minister – disagreed with Puritans – founded Hartford, Conn. • John Wheelwright – agreed with Hutchinson – forced to leave Mass. – founded Exeter, NH
Puritan Towns • Governed themselves • Set up town meetings – an assembly of townspeople that decides local issues only male heads of households set local taxes elected people to govern
New England Families • People should work hard • Families should be strong and stable • Earned a living by farming, fishing and building ships
King Philip’s War • Major conflict in 1675 • Led by Metacom, Wampanoag chief, known as King Philip • Goal was to stop Puritan expansion • Conflict ended when Metacom is killed • English colonies now free to expand
Puritan Influence Declines • New generation not as religious as parents • Concentrated on running farms and businesses • Successful merchants became community leaders • Stern religious rules have less influence now