Connecticut managed to visit two colonies: the Dutch and the English. And then he became one of the first American states to separate from Great Britain, laying the foundation for a new independent state. In the history of the United States, its value is invaluable. Let's find out more about him.
General information
Connecticut in the United States belongs to the New England region. It is located on the north-east coast of the country, surrounded by New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In the south, it is washed by the Long Island Strait.
Its size is very modest. With an area of 14,357 square kilometers, it ranks 48th among the US states, being one of the smallest. But even in such a small area there are many contrasts.
In the southwest of Connecticut, most of the cities are located. There are gray industrial areas, and luxury mansions off the coast. In the north there is more space and greenery. Small towns are located in this area, surrounded by agricultural land and forests.
The nature of Connecticut is represented mainly by hilly plains. In the east, the eponymous river flows - the largest in all of New England. It crosses a ridge of low cliffs (up to 300 meters) Metakomet.
In the northwestern part of the state are the spurs of the Appalachian Mountains of Berkshire Hills. This is one of Connecticut's most popular tourist destinations. The mountains are covered with dense forests where oaks, American hickory nuts, maples, beeches, etc. grow. Through them flows the Husatonic River, the valleys of which are dotted with lakes.
History
Before the colonists arrived, Connecticut was inhabited by the Pecot and Mohegan tribes. From their languages came the name of the river, and then the name of the state itself, which translates as “long river”.
In 1611, the Dutch arrived here. They built the Fort of Hope and traded with the local Indians. Until the 60s, part of the territory was part of the New Netherlands colony. Meanwhile, the British expanded their influence on the continent. In 1633, they arrived here from Massachusetts and organized the Seybrook colony, and then the Connecticut colony.
The British began a war with the Pecot Indians and practically destroyed them. In 1643, Seybrook, Connecticut, Plymouth, and several other neighboring colonies organized the New England Association, having received self-government. In 1664, Dutch lands joined them.
Later, a turbulent period began for the colonists. At first they entered the battle with the Indians, completely defeating them. Then, in the 80s, Britain claimed its rights to the colony. The revolution began, during which in 1689 the region regained its independence.
Constitution Staff
The "State of the Constitution" is the official nickname of Connecticut. It all started with clergyman Thomas Hooker. He had the extraordinary gift of a speaker and arrived in the city of Hartford in a “colony on the river” to read his sermons.
Hooker quickly became one of the main local activists, came into conflict with the official Church of England, and the government itself. The preacher believed that life in the colony should be managed by its inhabitants, not England. They should establish laws, elect officials and judges.
Together with John Haines and Roger Ludlow in 1639, they drew up the Basic Laws of Connecticut document. It contained provisions on the procedure for local government, the conduct of elections and the appointment of posts. The independence of the colony, and then Connecticut, was achieved thanks to Hooker and his comrades. The document became the first constitution in the history of America, which is why the state got its nickname.
Population
Connecticut is home to approximately 3.6 million people. According to the density of settlement, which is 285 people per square kilometer, it ranks fourth in the United States. The largest city is Bridgeport with a population of 145 thousand people. Other major cities: New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Hartford.
The population of the state is heterogeneous. By race, most of the inhabitants are white (77%), Hispanics make up 13%, Blacks - 10%, Asians - 3%. Less than one percent falls on Indians and Hawaiian residents.
Ethnically, diversity is also observed. About 19% of the population by origin are Italians, almost 18% of the people are Irish, British - 10.7%, Germans-10.4%. In addition, native Poles live in the state - 8.6%, French - 3%, French-speaking Canadians - 6%, etc. Americans make up only 2.7%.
The most common religious denominations are Christianity (70%) and Protestantism (28%). Among the population there are also Baptists, evangelists, Catholics, Lutherans, Mormons, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, etc.
Hartford
Hartford is the largest city and capital of Connecticut. In its place arose one of the first English colonies in the state, first called Newton. In 1815, Hartford became the center of the anti-slavery movement.
The city is located in the northeastern part of the state, on the west bank of the Connecticut River. The date of its foundation is considered to be 1635, and it received the status of the city in 1784. It is home to 125 thousand people. This is an industrial community that still has important industrial significance for New England and the United States as a whole.
The main attraction of the city of Hartford is the house-museum of the famous writer Mark Twain. The building was built in neo-Gothic style (Victorian Gothic). The writer lived in it for seventeen years, from 1874 to 1891. Here he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and the Pauper, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and other works.