Geography
Colonial New Hampshire is located north of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Maine, another colony which was included in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, is located east of New Hampshire.
Like much of New England, characteristics of New Hampshire's geography include hills, mountains, and plateaus. The coastline is low. Thick forests cover the mountains. Rocky, poor soil made farming difficult for colonists.
Like much of New England, characteristics of New Hampshire's geography include hills, mountains, and plateaus. The coastline is low. Thick forests cover the mountains. Rocky, poor soil made farming difficult for colonists.
Political Features
In 1641, New Hampshire was absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. However, King Charles II was annoyed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony's greedy accumulation of land. He separated New Hampshire in 1679, making it a royal colony.
As a royal colony, officials of England were responsible for governing and ruling over New Hampshire. An English-appointed governor and council administered the colony. However, the people also elected a representative assembly.
As a royal colony, officials of England were responsible for governing and ruling over New Hampshire. An English-appointed governor and council administered the colony. However, the people also elected a representative assembly.
Economic Features
Like many of the New England colonies, New Hampshire's economy did not rely majorly on farming. Rather, subsistence farming of limited crops, such as corn and wheat, was popular. Instead, the economy of New Hampshire was based heavily on fishing and trading.
Social Features
New Hampshire retained many of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's socioreligious qualities and values. Puritanism was the dominant religion in New Hampshire, and unlike some other emerging colonies, religious freedom was not allowed. Thus, New Hampshire adhered to the strict social codes of Puritanism, such as subservient women, conformity, and watchfulness of others.