Factors That Led The Settling Of The Northern Colonies

The settling of the Northern Colonies began with the arrival of the Pilgrims, or Puritan separatists, to Plymouth. The Massachusetts Bay Colony, led by John Winthrop, was formed shortly after and became known as the "Bible Commonwealth" for its large religious influence. However, religious tensions began to arise with dissidents like Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. The Rhode Island Colony was formed as a haven for these dissenters and exiles, and it became known as being strongly liberal and individualistic. The third New England colony, Connecticut, was led by Thomas Hooker and was the first to establish a "modern constitution" through the Fundamental Orders. The last northern colony, New Hampshire was created in 1679. Conflicts with the

Not only had the population grown numerically, but America was now a melting pot of many cultures. In particular, the Scots-Irish was one group that left a significant impact. They led the Paxton Boys on their march on Philadelphia, to protest against the Quakers ' peaceful relations towards the Indians. In addition, the Regulator movement protested the unbalanced power that favored the Eastern North Carolinians. Passed by Britain, the Molasses Act attempted to restrict American international trade but the colonists proved that they wouldn 't blindly accept these restrictions anymore. The Great Awakening occurred during this time, reviving religious fervor with George Whitefield at the lead. As education in the North improved, figures such as Ben Franklin helped advance both literature and the scientific field. The idea of a democracy began to show signs with the introduction of the two-house legislative body, and would continue to develop as time went on. A unique American culture also started to develop, and this contributed to a growing sense of

4. The main push factor for the New England colony was religious. Many of the initial colonists who settled at Plymouth were Puritans, who felt the Church of England was beyond reform and wanted to escape the religious persecution they received. The thought of a home of their own to start a family and begin a new life was a significant pull factor. The middle colonies had fertile soil, which was desirable for those who had skill in farming. Additionally, the middle colonies were much more diverse than dominantly-Puritan New England, attracting minorities who wanted to live in a religiously-tolerant area. The southern colonies had an economy almost purely based on agriculture with a warm climate that allowed for a long growing season. This was perfect for those who wanted to build large plantations to pass onto their children. The rich immigrants who came only