New England Confederation

The British colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven came together in 1643 to form a political and military alliance also known as the United Colonies of New England to safeguard themselves from the Native Americans who were a source of trouble and against other European powers like the Dutch, New Netherlands and the French. Besides, it also helped in solving inter - colonial disputes. The confederation was though weakened when Massachusetts backed out from the First Anglo - Dutch War against Netherlands, it regained its lost strength during King Philip's War in 1676 and the American War of Independence. Rhode islands was excluded from the confederation as it supported the American Indians was always in a state of anarchy. The confederation did not act like a central government, but it did have some important powers like helping colonies to access the cost for defense, on levying dues based on the number of males between the age 16 - 60,and later frame fugitive slave laws in the colonies based on the return of fugitives and runaway slaves. After the Pequot War, the colonies drew up 12 Articles of the confederation which was ratified by four colonies (Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Haven) that formed a union. Their territorial integrity was safeguarded. A government was formed that consisted of two members from each colony. Any decision required the ratification of six members. This government had the power to declare war and the expense was met by the colony based on the number of males in the colony. It also had the power to settle interstate quarrels and matters on fugitives and run away slaves. Annual meetings were held until the King Philip's War after which the confederation was terminated.