Classifying Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island as Colonies

By charter type in the 17th–18th century British colonial system:

Charter Colonies (Self-Governing, Crown Charter)

• Connecticut — 1662 Royal Charter (Winthrop); self-government, elected governor/assembly
• Massachusetts — 1691 Provincial Charter (William & Mary); merged Plymouth + Mass Bay; elected assembly, royally appointed governor
• Rhode Island — 1663 Royal Charter (Charles II); unprecedented religious liberty, elected governor/assembly

Royal Colony (Direct Crown Control)

• New Hampshire — 1679 separated from Mass; 1680 Royal Province; governor & council appointed by Crown; assembly elected

Why It Mattered

• Charter colonies kept legislative autonomy — assemblies controlled taxation, local law. Friction point: "No taxation without representation."
• Royal colonies had Crown-appointed governors with veto — more direct imperial control.
• By 1775: Only CT & RI remained charter colonies; MA converted to royal (1691); NH always royal.

Proprietary Colony (For Completeness)

Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Carolina (originally) — granted to proprietors (Calverts, Penns). Not applicable to these four.