Wanderlust World Wanderlust World |---|---|---|---|---|
Plymouth Colony | 1620 | Fishing, fur trading, farming | Congregationalist | Mayflower Compact
| Massachusetts Bay Colony | 1630 | Fishing, fur trading, farming, whaling | Puritan | Royal charter
| Connecticut Colony | 1636 | Farming, fur trading, manufacturing, whaling | Congregationalist | Royal charter
| Rhode Island Colony | 1636 | Farming, fishing, manufacturing | Baptist, Quaker, Congregationalist | Royal charter
| New Hampshire Colony | 1629 | Farming, fishing, lumbering, fur trading | Congregationalist, Anglican | Royal charter
The New England colonies were all settled by English colonists, but they differed in their primary industries, religious affiliations, and forms of government.
The primary industries of the New England colonies were determined by their geography and natural resources. Plymouth Colony, for example, was located on a rocky coast with a good harbor, so fishing and fur trading were important industries. Massachusetts Bay Colony had a larger population and a more diverse economy, with fishing, fur trading, farming, and whaling all playing important roles. Connecticut Colony was also home to a diverse economy, with farming, fur trading, manufacturing, and whaling all being important industries. Rhode Island Colony had a smaller population and a less diverse economy, with farming and fishing being the most important industries. New Hampshire Colony was also home to a small population and a less diverse economy, with farming, fishing, lumbering, and fur trading all being important industries.
The religious affiliations of the New England colonies were also a source of diversity. Plymouth Colony was founded by a group of Puritans who were seeking religious freedom. Massachusetts Bay Colony was also founded by Puritans, but they were more moderate than the Plymouth colonists and allowed for some religious diversity. Connecticut Colony was founded by a group of Congregationalists who were seeking religious freedom. Rhode Island Colony was founded by a group of Baptists and Quakers who were seeking religious freedom. New Hampshire Colony was founded by a group of Puritans, but they were more moderate than the Massachusetts Bay colonists and allowed for some religious diversity.
The forms of government of the New England colonies also differed. Plymouth Colony was governed by the Mayflower Compact, which was a social contract between the settlers that established a democracy. Massachusetts Bay Colony was governed by a royal charter, which gave the colony a high degree of autonomy. Connecticut Colony was also governed by a royal charter, but the colony was more democratic than Massachusetts Bay Colony. Rhode Island Colony was governed by a royal charter, but the colony was the most democratic of the New England colonies. New Hampshire Colony was governed by a royal charter, but the colony was less democratic than the other New England colonies.
The New England colonies were all settled by English colonists, but they differed in their primary industries, religious affiliations, and forms of government. These differences made each colony unique and contributed to the diversity of the American colonies.