Connecticut

= Welcome to the Connecticut Colony! =

__//**Overview of Connecticut Colony:**//__ Connecticut was established on March 3, 1636 as an English colony. Though the Dutch were the first people to explore the new land and mark it, it was officially founded by an English man named Thomas Hooker and a group of his fellow Bay Staters (colonists from Massachusetts). Connecticut was originally established as a haven for Puritan noblemen. It was otherwise known as the "River Colony" because of its location around the Connecticut River. Connecticut was made up mostly by 2 colonies, the Saybrook Colony which moved into Connecticut in 1644 and the New Haven Colony which moved into Connecticut in 1662. The first settlement of Connecticut was called New Hope, which is present day Hartford. Today, Hartford is the capitol of Connecticut. In 1662, Connecticut received a royal charter, officially making it a crown colony. This meant that the king would appoint a governor to rule the colony.

1. __//**Religion:**//__ Religion played a huge role in the founding of the Connecticut colony because it was originally established as a haven for Puritan noblemen. This means that Puritans seeking religious freedom from England could come here to practice the religion of their choice. Puritans believed that all traces of the Roman Catholic churches should have been erased in the Anglican churches. Freedom of religion was a major step in forming some of the many great opportunities the 13 colonies provided.



2. __//**Economic Activity:**//__ Because of long winters and infertile soil, large-scale farming was very difficult for Connecticut and its surrounding colonies. This meant that Connecticut could not depend on cash crops as the southern colonies did. It mainly depended on shipbuilding. Connecticut contained many forests making wood, to build ships, easily obtainable. Fishing was another thing that colonists in the New England colonies did to make a living. This created the need for more ships, which is how Connecticut mostly made its profit. Because Connecticut was basically controlled by Puritans, it adopted the work ethics from them. The Puritans emphasized hard work modest living, and personal virtues; this was known as the Puritan ethic.



3. __//**Important Person:**//__ Thomas Hooker is one of the most important people in the history of the Connecticut Colony. Today, he is rightfully known as "the father of Connecticut" simply because he was the main founder of the colony. Thomas Hooker was born on July 5, 1586 and died on July 7, 1647. He was a Puritan minister that strongly believed in the Puritan methods. Thomas Hooker is also said to be the main inspiration to the writing of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut because of the great sermon he gave to the 100 original settlers of Connecticut.



**//__Sources:__//**
Connecticut Colony Thomas Hooker Civics and Economics Textbook

Created By: Jack M. Josh S. Peter N.