A route that would lead them to the riches of the east
It is definitely possible that the opposite of this question occurs. It is possible that a majority of voters might support liberalization even though it would hurt a lot of voters if implemented. This is because people do not always have their best interest at heart. Sometimes, this is because of poor information (people might not realize that something benefits them/affects them) while some other times it is because other factors do not let people see the truth (such as intense ideological or religious feeling).
Answer:
Economic characteristics of the Colonial Period
The New England colonies developed an economy based on shipbuilding, fishing, lumbering, small-scale subsistence farming, and eventually, manufacturing. The colonies prospered, reflecting the Puritans' strong belief in the values of hard work and thrift.
