New+Hampshire

Geography New Hampshire is part of the New England region. It has Quebec to the north, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Massachusetts to the south, and Vermont to the west. New Hampshire’s geography included various features. New Hampshire included different mountain ranges such as the White Mountains in the north and Mount Monadnock in the southwest. Rivers include the Merrimack River, which branches off into the Contoocook, Pemigewasset, and Winnipesaukee Rivers; and the Connecticut River. The Piscataqua River and its tributaries form the state’s only main ocean port, which flows into the Atlantic at Portsmouth. Lastly the largest lake is Lake Winnipesaukee in the eastern part of the colony.New Hampshire had a rough, cold, damp climate. Farming in the New Hampshire colony was difficult with its hard, rocky soil and long periods of cold weather. New Hampshire’s climate was colder than the other colonies because of its nearness to water and its far north location. As a result colonists faced much difficulty because it was hard to grow certain crops, and its severe winters killed many people.

History Before any Europeans had arrived in New Hampshire the region was inhabited by The Abenakis and the Penacooks, who were subdivisions of the Algonquin tribe. The Native Americans wewlcomed the first white settlers, believing that they would be strong allies. The Laconia company, under the supervision of John. T. Mason created the first white settlement in 1623. The settlers that came to New Hampshire were English, and later on people of Scottish descent settled in the colony. The settlement was commercially planned because London businessmen saw enormous potential for wealth in the region's abundant fishing, superb natural harbors, and vast resources of lumber and furs. The Company did not prove to be as profitable as planned and the company was shut down in 1636.

Economics The colonist fished to survive. They sold fur and lumber. Many people worked at harbors in the ship building industry. There was no slavery in New Hampshire.

Social In the colony all if not most residents were English and Scottish, the main language that was spoken amongst these people was English. The religion that was practiced by the majority of people in New Hampshire was Christian Protestant. Political  From 1641 to 1643 New Hampshire was controlled by Massachusetts. It became a royal colony in 1680. The King chose a president and a council to lead the colony.

Key Terms: -**Triangle** **Trade**- Trade between the new world, Europe, and Africa -**Great Awakening**- The series of religious revivals among Protestants in the American colonies. -**Cash Crops**- Any crop that is considered easily marketable, as wheat or cotton -**Salutary Neglect - Great Britain’s policy in the early 1700’s of not interfering in the American colonies’ politics and economy as long as such neglect served British economic interests ** -**Mercantilism**- Mercantile practices or spirit; commercialism

**French and Indian War**- For some time, New Hampshire has been a main attraction to the French and Indians. The Native Americans have owned New Hampshire for quite some years. The Native Americans joined the compatriots north, which led to a very intense French and Indian War throughout the northern colonies. The result was the Indians being moved off there land. The Native Americans and the Northern New England colonies allied themselves with the French in the battle in Canada. In Canada there were a series of battles. In 1763 the French and Indian alliance was defeated.

**Revolution**- Hampshire was the first state to declare independence in 1776. New Hampshire was one of many during the revolution to revolt. The attack on fort constitution help get needed cannons and ammunition to fight the battle at Bunker Hill. There were three regiments for the continental army the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd regiments. New Hampshire fought in the battle at Bunker Hill, the Battle at Saratoga, and the battle at Rhode Island. New Hampshire played a key role in the war. The 3 different regiments joined the war at different times. Lastly New Hampshire was the ninth 9th state to ratify the constitution.