Connecticut
In 1636, led by Reverend Thomas Hooker, approximately 100 people settled in Newtown, now called Hartford, with the objective of creating a society that was less oppressive than the Massachusetts bay Colony. This revolutionary settlement was called Connecticut.
Geographic Features (1)
Although it was a member of the New England colonies, Connecticut's climate was a mix between that of the Middle colonies and the New England colonies. Its soil was moderately fertile, better suited for agriculture than the rock soil of more northern areas, such as Maine, but not as suitable for agriculture as more southern areas, such as Georgia. The colony contained many nearby bodies of water, having a large number of beaches, such as Ocean Beach, Weed Beach, and Hammonasset Beach (18), and numerous lakes, such as Lake Zoar, Bantam Lake, and Candlewood Lake (18). Connecticut's climate is more on the cold side, having moderate summers and cold winters; most of the state gets 35-45 inches of snowfall annually (17), but the Northwest region of Connecticut usually gets around 75 inches of snow per year (17). Also, Connecticut contains many oak forests and lots of hardwood around the northern border, such as birch, beech, maple, and hemlock (17). This leads to great potential in lumbering.
Social and Religious Features (1)
Connecticut was a revolutionary colony, both politically and socially. While having a similar government to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, its society was designed to be less restrictive and stringent. On the other hand, New Haven, which had been a separate colony until Charles II merged the two together, wanted the Puritan society to be even more oppressive. However, Connecticut's original ideals took precedence. Wealthier persons, especially men, had the most control and power in the colony. However, all freemen were able to participate in government and vote for governors and magistrates, giving them some degree of power.
Political Features (1)
In 1639, Connecticut made a revolutionary step forward in American history by drafting the Fundamental Orders, which is considered the first modern constitution in American history. This constitution established a democratic government that gave the wealthy citizens more control, but allowed freemen to participate in the government by electing magistrates and governors. It also declared that the church and state should be separated, and that taxation must be approved by the people. A key idea of the Fundamental Orders was that the government was based off of the consent of the people. In summary, Connecticut took American politics a step forward.
Economic Features (1)
Although Connecticut's conditions made it difficult for large farming, its soil was decent enough to maintain some subsistence farming. However, its main economic prosperity came in the form of industry, from shipbuilding to lumbering to fishing to fur trade. This was mainly a result of its proximity to water and hardwood forests.