New England Confederation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United Colonies of New England
1643–1686
Flag
New England in 1660
Status	Disestablished
Capital	None, meetingplace rotated between: Boston, Hartford, New Haven, Plymouth
Common languages	English Massachusett, Mi'kmaq
Religion	Congregationalism
Government	Directorial confederation
Commissioners
• 1643 (first)	William Collier Thomas Dudley Edward Winslow Theophilus Eaton George Fenwick Thomas Gregson] Edward Hopkins John Winthrop
• 1686 (last)	John Allyn William Bradford IV Thomas Hinckley Samuel Nowell William Stoughton John Talcott John Walley
Legislature	None (legislative power was reserved for individual colonial assemblies)
Historical era	Great Migration, British colonization of the Americas, American Indian Wars, Anglo-Dutch Wars
• Established	1643
• Disestablished	1686

The United Colonies of New England, also known as the New England Confederation, was an alliance formed in May 1643. It brought together four English colonies in New England: Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Saybrook (Connecticut), and New Haven.

The main goals of this alliance were to protect the colonies. They wanted to defend themselves against Native American tribes and the Dutch colony of New Netherland. The alliance also aimed to keep their shared Puritan religious beliefs strong. It was an important step towards the colonies working together. The idea for the alliance came after a war started between the Mohegan and Narragansett Indian tribes. The Confederation also planned to return people who had run away, like criminals or servants. It was also a place to solve arguments between the colonies. However, many of these goals were hard to achieve.

The Confederation became weaker in 1654. This happened when Massachusetts Bay refused to join a fight against New Netherland during the First Anglo-Dutch War. But it became important again during King Philip's War in 1675. The alliance ended in the early 1680s. This was because the English king took back the special permissions (charters) given to many colonies.

Forming the Alliance: The Treaty

The official name of the 1643 agreement was "The Articles of Confederation between the Plantations under the Government of the Massachusetts, the Plantations under the Government of New Plymouth, the Plantations under the Government of Connecticut, and the Government of New Haven with the Plantations in Combination therewith".

Why the Colonies United

The New England colonies were growing quickly. They were also having more contact with other European settlements. They met more often with the surrounding Native American tribes too. Because of this, leaders in New England wanted an alliance. This would help the colonies work together to defend themselves. The leaders also felt their colonies were special. They hoped to join forces to protect their Puritan values and way of life. The treaty said that the colonies should act as one nation. It stated they shared a way of life and religion. This alliance was meant to be a lasting way for the colonies to defend themselves and talk to each other. It was also for dealing with any outside groups.

The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England, 1643

Key Rules of the Treaty

The treaty that created this alliance had several important rules:

• The colonies would form a friendly league. They would promise to help each other militarily. This would keep them safe and protect their Puritan way of life.
• Each New England colony would keep its current land. Their areas of control would not be changed by other members. Any changes would need everyone's agreement.
• All members had to help if a war happened. They had to give men and supplies. The colonies also had to count all men available for their local army (militia). All men aged 16 to 60 were considered able to serve. Any gains from battles would be shared fairly among the members.
• If one colony was attacked, the others had to help right away. This help would be given based on the colony's size. Massachusetts Bay had to send 100 armed men. The other colonies would send 45 armed men or fewer, depending on their size. If more help was needed, the Confederation's leaders (commissioners) had to approve it.
• Each colony would choose two commissioners. These eight leaders would handle military matters. They would meet once a year on the first Thursday in September. The meeting place would rotate among the colonies.
• The commissioners would pick a president from among themselves. This president would not have extra power. Their job was mainly to organize meetings.
• Commissioners could create laws and rules. These would help the Confederation as a whole. The laws would ensure good relations between the colonies. They would also keep the Confederation safe. Colonies also had to help each other return people who had run away, like criminals or servants.
• No colony could start a war without everyone else's permission. This was to stop smaller colonies from being forced into wars they couldn't afford. Any attack would need approval from at least six of the eight Commissioners.
• Four commissioners could make quick decisions in emergencies. But these decisions had to be within the agreed limits of men and resources. Decisions about money or taxes needed at least six commissioners present.
• If any colony broke the rules, the other commissioners would meet. They would then decide what action to take.

The Massachusetts General Court and the commissioners from Saybrook Colony and New Haven Colony agreed to this treaty on May 19, 1643. The General Court of the Plymouth Colony agreed on August 29 of the same year.

Who Signed the Treaty

Here are some of the important people who signed the treaty for each colony:

Massachusetts Bay

• Increase Nowell, Secretary of the General Court

Saybrook Colony

• John Haynes, Commissioner
• Edward Hopkins, Commissioner

New Haven Colony

• Theophilus Eaton, Commissioner
• Thomas Gregson, Commissioner

Plymouth Colony

• Edward Winslow, Commissioner
• William Collier, Commissioner