Massachusetts Bay Colonies
It’s 1630 on the Massachusetts bay. The cold air whips through your long, messy hair. You’ve been waiting for such a long time for this. You have finally arrived in the New World. Your name is John Winthrop, and you don’t know it yet, but you will play a key role in the founding of Massachusetts, the first of the New England colonies. This is what it may have been like during these times. Massachusetts Bay was founded in 1630, followed by Rhode Island and Connecticut in 1636, and New Hampshire in 1638. These four colonies became what is now considered the region of New England. They were founded because of the environment, natural resources, and the economic possibilities. But which one of those three mainly impacted the colonists’ thoughts
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on founding? Due to my research, I have concluded that the environment most impacted the founding. The environment affects the possible economics, as well as the colonists will to settle there. The climate had a huge impact on the economy, too, as the crops could not be grown in places where the weather was always cold. The environment also includes the geography, so it widely impacts the areas of founding. First of all, without proper environment, you cannot have economy. The very unique climate and geographical location made it hard to have an agricultural economy. However, according to landofthebrave.info, they grew corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans, but not wheat due to the mountainous landscape and infertile soil (New England Colonies). The geography in the New England includes lots of forest, so manufacturing became popular in the colonies. They entered shipbuilding, and due to the mountainous landscape, they had to import most of their supplies from other regions of colonies and from overseas. Although I have made my decision, the other two possibilities are honorable mentions.
The economy affected the income and the popularity of the region. The natural resources largely affected the economy and the ability of the region to thrive, but the resources are part of the environment, so the environment has complete control over it. To prove my point further, the environment changes the will of the potential settlers to colonize there. Year-long cold weather or a small amount of land to settle on are just two of many examples of environmental negatives. However, forests, lots of rain, and near-sea geographical location outweigh the downsides and provide lots of opportunities for settlements and colonies. Using the pros and cons, the settlers would have found the positives to weigh more than a paper-thick negative. To conclude this question, The environment affected the economy, natural resources, and the settling of the colonies overall.
Speaking of the will of the people, what made them want to stay there? Was it the environment that appealed to them most? Or maybe they had established a high population and had many births each year? Perhaps a stable government and good leaders? The answer is surprisingly all of them, along with
more.
Let’s start off with the population. According to the colonial papers made by Mr. Roughton, the population of the New England colonies was 359,500 in 1750, rivaled only by the southern colonies, which had an average of 112,200 people per colony. The average population per New England colony was 89, 875, while the middle and southern colonies combined barely top that at 90, 138. These numbers show that the New England colonies have a high population.
Next, let’s talk about the environment. The summers were mild summers, and cold winters. Although the weather seems cold, the cooler climate killed off diseases faster than other regions. This may have had a huge impact on the colonists’ will. The forests started a huge shipbuilding industry, and who would want to leave that behind? According to a powerpoint on ports in colonial America, New England had four of five listed primary port towns (Newton, 5). This evidence proves the environment was suitable for a thriving settlement.
The third and final reason suggested the New England colonies had a stable government and good leaders. Why is this important? With good, trusted leaders, the people do not want to leave that area. An example of a government in these colonies is the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. This document set up the River towns’ government and powers: “...the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established…” (let.rug.nl, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639).
In conclusion, New England was settled mainly because of its environment, and it stayed there due to the will of the people; they liked the population, government, and more.
on founding? Due to my research, I have concluded that the environment most impacted the founding. The environment affects the possible economics, as well as the colonists will to settle there. The climate had a huge impact on the economy, too, as the crops could not be grown in places where the weather was always cold. The environment also includes the geography, so it widely impacts the areas of founding. First of all, without proper environment, you cannot have economy. The very unique climate and geographical location made it hard to have an agricultural economy. However, according to landofthebrave.info, they grew corn, pumpkins, rye, squash and beans, but not wheat due to the mountainous landscape and infertile soil (New England Colonies). The geography in the New England includes lots of forest, so manufacturing became popular in the colonies. They entered shipbuilding, and due to the mountainous landscape, they had to import most of their supplies from other regions of colonies and from overseas. Although I have made my decision, the other two possibilities are honorable mentions.
The economy affected the income and the popularity of the region. The natural resources largely affected the economy and the ability of the region to thrive, but the resources are part of the environment, so the environment has complete control over it. To prove my point further, the environment changes the will of the potential settlers to colonize there. Year-long cold weather or a small amount of land to settle on are just two of many examples of environmental negatives. However, forests, lots of rain, and near-sea geographical location outweigh the downsides and provide lots of opportunities for settlements and colonies. Using the pros and cons, the settlers would have found the positives to weigh more than a paper-thick negative. To conclude this question, The environment affected the economy, natural resources, and the settling of the colonies overall.
Speaking of the will of the people, what made them want to stay there? Was it the environment that appealed to them most? Or maybe they had established a high population and had many births each year? Perhaps a stable government and good leaders? The answer is surprisingly all of them, along with
more.
Let’s start off with the population. According to the colonial papers made by Mr. Roughton, the population of the New England colonies was 359,500 in 1750, rivaled only by the southern colonies, which had an average of 112,200 people per colony. The average population per New England colony was 89, 875, while the middle and southern colonies combined barely top that at 90, 138. These numbers show that the New England colonies have a high population.
Next, let’s talk about the environment. The summers were mild summers, and cold winters. Although the weather seems cold, the cooler climate killed off diseases faster than other regions. This may have had a huge impact on the colonists’ will. The forests started a huge shipbuilding industry, and who would want to leave that behind? According to a powerpoint on ports in colonial America, New England had four of five listed primary port towns (Newton, 5). This evidence proves the environment was suitable for a thriving settlement.
The third and final reason suggested the New England colonies had a stable government and good leaders. Why is this important? With good, trusted leaders, the people do not want to leave that area. An example of a government in these colonies is the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. This document set up the River towns’ government and powers: “...the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent Government established…” (let.rug.nl, The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639).
In conclusion, New England was settled mainly because of its environment, and it stayed there due to the will of the people; they liked the population, government, and more.