Connecticut

= = = Connecticut = = = = = = **Geography:** = This was located on the west coast in one of New England's Colony, now known as Connecticut. Most of northeastern and northwest of this state is hilly and forested. Rivers and lakes cover most of eastern Connecticut. One of the major rivers in the 1600's was the Connecticut River. In modern time today the eastern part of Connecticut is known as the Last Green Valley. The agriculture in Connecticut is very rich and the most grown crops in the 1650's were corn, apple, and shaded tobacco. The geography affected the way colonies developed because there was no way of uniting all the villages due to the forests.

= History: = Connecticut was first colonized in the year 1636 by a man called Thomas Hooker. Where he first colonized is now known as Hartford. He originally came down from Massachusetts after running into trouble because of his ideology to religion. A small group of people who were European residents living in the New England colonies followed Hooker down put they settled down near the Connecticut river valley. Another reason why Hooker moved was because he was also looking for better farming land then there was in Massachusetts. Hooker’s ideology got him in trouble with religious leaders in Massachusetts. Since Hooker starting off his own village he was able to set his own political views. There were 16 groups of Algonquian Indians which for the most part where peaceful hunters, gatherers, and farmers. These tribes feared the hostility of the Mohawks and the Pequot tribes. During the early years of the 17th century thousands of Indians died due to the warfare and the smallpox epidemic.

= **Economics:** = Due to the tremendous growth of population in Connecticut in the year 1750, there was soil exhaustion and land shortage. This forced farmers to shift from farming to livestock production. Another form of income is the manufacture that small enterprises produce like clock making, iron forging, and shipbuilding. However during the Revolutionary war Connecticut became known as the “provision state". It was given this name because it supplied the Continental Army with livestock, grain, guns, and gunpowder. Slavery wasn’t as comment in this state as others. There were very few slaves that were imported from Barbados and others were Native Americans. = Social: = The common language spoken in Connecticut was English. Connecticut remained a fairly stable and conservative region. However in the year 1730, Rev Jonathan Edwards lead a revival that spread through the Connecticut River Valley. This made a division through Connecticut’s congregational churches between the new lights (people who took part in the revival) and the old light (the more conservative and traditional colonists.) A woman’s role at this time was to take care of the children, make clothing, and prepare food for the family. Woman were allowed to own property, managed businesses, and engaged in trade. The only way a woman can obtain a divorce at this time was if her husband had disappeared for three years and had neglected his family. = = = **Political:** = The governor, Winthrop, was able to get a charter granted to him in the year 1662. Both colonies were able to elect their assembly, governor, and to rule themselves. In the year 1665 both colonies were united under the name of the Colony of Connecticut. It became a joint-stock colony in 1644. Connecticut was ruled by New England till it was granted the charter in the year 1662. By this time Connecticut became a democracy and allowed religious freedom.

"Connecticut." //American History//.ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 25 Sept. 2011.

"Connecticut: History, Geography, Population, and State Facts." Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 25 Sep. 2011 [].

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by: Lizzette Aquino