In this lesson from Unit 2: Colonial America, students explore the development of the New England Colonies and examine how religion, geography, economics, and self-government shaped life in the region. Students learn how Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire each developed unique identities while sharing many common characteristics tied to New England’s climate and religious foundations.

The lesson begins by introducing the concepts of region and plantation before examining the geography of New England, including its cold climate, rocky soil, dense forests, swift rivers, and natural harbors. Students analyze how geography influenced settlement patterns and led New England to develop industries such as fishing, whaling, timber, fur trading, shipbuilding, and Atlantic trade instead of large plantation agriculture.

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