In the context of Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH), this refers to the group of British colonies located in northeastern North America, primarily settled by Puritans and other religious dissenters seeking to establish societies based on their own religious principles. These colonies, which included Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, developed distinct social, political, and economic characteristics compared to other colonial regions. For instance, their emphasis on communal living and religious conformity contrasted sharply with the more individualistic and commercially oriented colonies further south.
Understanding the characteristics of these colonies is crucial for APUSH students because they played a significant role in shaping the political, social, and economic landscape of early America. They were centers of education and self-government, laying the groundwork for democratic institutions and principles that would later influence the development of the United States. Studying them provides insight into the origins of American ideals of liberty, religious freedom, and civic engagement, while also revealing the complexities of early colonial life, including conflicts with Native Americans and internal social tensions. Their distinctive development shaped national identity and contributed to later revolutionary sentiment.
