Connecticut

=__**Terms**__=

The **Fundamental Orders of Connecticut** was the legal document establishing Connecticut as a British colony. The Connecticut Valley (originally part of the Massachusetts colony) attracted many settlers who sought fertile soil to farm and an escape from the religious intensity of the Massachusetts Bay. Puritan minister Thomas Hooker established the town of Hartford in 1635, against the authority of the Massachusetts government. By 1639, enough power had gravitated to Hartford and surrounding valley towns to establish Connecticut as a separate colony, through the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. The Connecticut government was similar to that of Massachusetts, but allowed a larger percentage of men to vote and hold office. The term “Fundamental Orders of Connecticut” belongs on the “Connecticut” page because the Orders were the declaration and establishment of Connecticut’s existence as a colony.

Thomas Hooker: Thomas Hooker was a Puritan religious leader and politician who founded the state of Connecticut. He was a very prominent influence in the creation of the “Fundamental Orders of Connecticut” which was an important document because it was an important example of colonial democracy. Hooker should be placed under Connecticut because he is referred to as the “father of Connecticut”. (Gibson Odderstol)

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was the legal document establishing Connecticut as a British colony. The Connecticut Valley (originally part of the Massachusetts colony) attracted many settlers who sought fertile soil to farm and an escape from the religious intensity of the Massachusetts Bay. Puritan minister Thomas Hooker established the town of Hartford in 1635, against the authority of the Massachusetts government. By 1639, enough power had gravitated to Hartford and surrounding valley towns to establish Connecticut as a separate colony, through the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. The Connecticut government was similar to that of Massachusetts, but allowed a larger percentage of men to vote and hold offic