Introduction

England’s Thirteen Colonies were located on the Atlantic Coast in-between French Canada and Spanish Florida.The Thirteen Colonies can be divided into three regions. Each region was unique and gave the English a wide variety of opportunities and “personalities.”

The South

The Middle Colonies

New England

New England

The Middle Colonies

The South

13 Colonies Map

Climate, Resources & People

Long winters & rocky soilsFishing, Shipbuilding, Trade, and SmugglingHeavy reliance on the Atlantic OceanPeople relied on Subsistence Farming – produced enough for themselves + a little extra for tradingSettlers from England made up the largest groups of the region’s populationJohn Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush

People, continued …

African Americans Slavery wasn’t economical in New England because they weren’t needed for farming.Many slaves worked in houses or were hired out for various jobs.Slaves could eventually save enough money to purchase their freedom.

Government

John Winthrop was Massachusetts’ first governor“The New England Way” – used by Puritans to describe their beliefs & societyThe Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – extended voting rights to non-church members & limited the governor’s power

Economy

Land was sold to large groups – often Puritan congregations.As a result towns grew in a way that was conducive to trade.Towns usually centered around a “green” – a central square where many public activities took place.

Economy, Continued ...Triangular Trade

part of three types of trade NE colonies engaged inIron, rum exchanged for slaves and gold – VERY PROFITABLE

Navigation Acts of 1651 Law passed by the English in an attempt to get a cut out of New England’s wealthy trade. Difficult for the English to enforce.Pirates like Blackbeard disrupted colonial shipping

Social & Religious Changes

Early 1700’s saw many changes to Puritan society

Drive for economic success competed w/Puritan idealsIncreased competition from other religious groups

Political changes England granted religious freedom for all Protestants, not just Puritans

The Middle Colonies

The South

13 Colonies Map

New England

Climate, Resources & People

Shorter winters and more fertile soilClimate was good for farming & livestockExcellent ports and river systems (New York, NY on the Hudson; Philadelphia, PA on the Delaware)Exported grain, furs, and whale oil and imported manufactured goodsShip buildingNew York and Philly developed and expanded quicklyRivaled the nicest cities of England.

People, Continued …

Was known for its diversity.Heavy German influence in the regionGerman craftsman and artisans created many important goods:

Long rifles, iron works, glass, furniture, and dinner ware.

Government

Proprietors like The Duke of York (New York), King Charles II, and William Penn (Pennsylvania) owned most of the land grants Set up colonies to compete with Dutch“Penn’s Woods” later grants portion of land to Delaware colony

Climate of Tolerance

The wide variety of groups made it difficult for one group to dominate over anotherAs a result, there was a great deal of tolerance in the Middle Colonies, EXCEPT towards...

African AmericansSome were slaves and some were free. Either way they worked as laborers, servants, drivers, sailors, and assistantsRacial tensions did exist, especially in NYC.Violence was used by both sides – but African Americans were forced into submission.

Colonial Philadelphia

The South

The Middle Colonies

New England

13 Colonies Map

Climate & Resources

Warm climate & good soil – ideal for plantation crops like indigo, rice, corn, and tobacco.As # of plantations grew, they became self-sufficient, so very few large cities developed in the South.

The People

“Planter Class”Became wealthy off of the cash crops they grewDominated all aspects of Southern lifeViewed themselves as nobility. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson & George Mason

The Need For Slavery

Plantations had difficulties finding the necessary labor to run a plantation.Many indentured servants were leaving plantations.Turned to slave labor. Africans already established as reliable slaves – so planters started to use them.Kept under control with strict slave codes.

Government

Colonies throughout the South started for radically different reasons:

Maryland – George Calvert (tobacco production to offset his losses in NE) Carolinas – Ruled by 8 “Lord’s Proprietors” and settled by British colony from Barbados Georgia – refuge for debtors Virginia – haven for some English convicts, and others hoped to make their fortunes

The Story of The Carolinas

Carolinas settled privately by 8 “Lord’s Proprietors”Carolinas frequently clashed with Native tribes Colonists overthrew Carolina colony after proprietors refused to defend Charleston against Spanish attackLater, Carolinas became too large to govern – split in 1712

Conclusion

The diversity of the 13 colonies offered a great deal of economic possibilities to the British Empire.It also gave the 13 colonies the wealth needed to start becoming a country.

CLOSURE

The “Triangular Trade” is a term used to describe the movement of goods between Western Europe, West Africa, and

A Central Asia. B the Americas. C Australia. D the Middle East. The Mayflower Compact (1620) was significant in the political development of the American colonies because it introduced the principle of

A self-government. B separation of powers. C freedom of expression. D federalism.