The New England Region

Geography & Climate

• The New England colonies included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

• Very cold winters, mild summers

• Rocky Soil not good for farming, but colonists utilized subsistence farming raising just enough food for their families.

How the colonists made their money…

• Fishing and Shipbuilding was the biggest money maker in New England

• Lumber/Timber = Sawmills

• Blacksmiths

• Built ships that would play a key role in the slave trade.

Religion, Social, and Political Life • Protestant followers of John Calvin

• Puritans wanted to ‘purify’ the church of England or make changes to improves it.

• The Pilgrims were Separatists that wanted to separate from the church of England and completely move away from the church.

• Town meetings were held for colonists to voice their opinions

• School was usually held in the church and was very strict.

Typical Village life in New England

• http://www.localhistories.org/colonial.html

• Use this website and list information about their homes, food/drink, clothing, and work