What was the name of the military alliance formed to defend the New England colonies?

The New England Confederation was a military alliance formed in 1643 among the New England colonies, specifically Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven. Its primary purpose was to provide collective defense against threats from Native American tribes, as well as to address intercolonial disputes and issues of mutual concern. At the time, the colonies faced various dangers, including attacks from indigenous peoples and competition with other European powers, making it crucial for them to unite for their mutual protection.

This confederation was significant as it represented one of the earliest forms of cooperation among the colonies, laying a foundation for future political alliances in the region. The New England Confederation operated under a charter that facilitated communication and strategy between the colonies, showing a move towards greater political unity in defense of shared interests.

In contrast, the Albany Plan of Union was a proposal created by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 aimed at unifying the Thirteen Colonies for defense against French and Native American threats, but it was never adopted. The Continental Congress was convened later, during the American Revolution, to coordinate colonial resistance to British rule. The Union of Crown Colonies is not a historical term widely associated with military defense among the New England colonies and doesn't reflect an actual historical alliance