New England Confederation (United Colonies of New England)
Years: 1643 - 1684
The United Colonies of New England, commonly known as the New England Confederation, is a short-lived military alliance of the English colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.
Established in 1643, its primary purpose is to unite the Puritan colonies against the Native Americans.
It is established as a direct result of a war that started between the Mohegan and Narragansetts.
Its charter provides for the return of fugitive criminals and indentured servants, and serves as a forum for resolving inter-colonial disputes.
In practice, none of the goals are accomplished.
The confederation is weakened in 1654 after Massachusetts refuses to join the war against the Netherlands during the First Anglo-Dutch War.
However, the confederation regains importance during King Philip's War in 1676.
