New England ColoniesMotivation• Overall, people who settled in the New England colonies wanted to keep their family unit together and practice their own religion .• They were accustomed to doing many things themselves and not depending much on others.• Some of these people came to New England to make money, but they were not the majority.Economy• The New England colonies were largely farming and fishing communities. • People made their own clothing and shoes. • They grew much of their own food. Crops like corn and wheat were grown in large numbers and much of it was shipped to England. • Foods that did not grow in America were shipped from England. • Boston was the principal port of New England. • Farms were almost always self-sufficient farms. .• Fishing off the Grand Banks of Canada was an important part of the economy.• Logging and shipbuilding used the forests of New England.• Trade and shipping were very importantThe Mayflower• Plymouth, England• 102 passengers on the Mayflower • Puritans sought a new life of religious freedom in America • All passengers were called Pilgrims • Among their advisors was Captain John Smith • It took 66 days to reach New England and the journey was very difficult for people who were not. accustomed to sailingMassachusetts• Before even setting foot on land, they drafted an agreement called the "Mayflower Compact" that would set the rules to guide them through the first, difficult moments of establishing a new community• This one was signed on November 21, 1620. , which served as the colony's official constitution for many years• Massachusetts was founded by a group of English settlers• The Puritans arrived in Massachusetts in 1628• Native relations The September 16, 1620, the ship "Mayflower" departed for New England tribes and settlers were always tense, but generally did not result in much bloodshed.