Why was New England so important?
The New England colonies were founded to escape religious persecution in England. The Middle colonies, like Delaware, New York, and New Jersey, were founded as trade centers, while Pennsylvania was founded as a safe haven for Quakers.
Because the New England colonies focused on the shipbuilding and fishing industries, they imported agricultural products (farm products) from other colonies and England.
Although economic prosperity was still a goal of the New England settlers, their true goal was spiritual. Fed up with the ceremonial Church of England, Pilgrims and Puritans sought to recreate society in the manner they believed God truly intended it to be designed.
Massachusetts Bay Colony It was the most successful and influential colony in New England.
7 Massachusetts Bay Colonists to Know
- John Winthrop. Without question, John Winthrop was the Bay Colony's alpha Puritan.
- Thomas Dudley. If Winthrop was the Bay Colony's most influential citizen, Thomas Dudley was a close second.
- Anne Bradstreet.
- John Cotton.
- John Harvard.
- Roger Williams.
- Anne Hutchinson.