Life in the Middle ColoniesA Mix of PeopleMain idea: People from many cultures and religions lived in the Middle Colonies•Colonists were… (p. 196)•Tolerance: respecting beliefs and practices that are different from one’s own•Why so many different people? Religious tolerance and inexpensive land

Life in the Middle Colonies

A Mix of People•Some people stayed in cities, but most moved to the countryside.

Why? To farm!

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a LivingMain idea: Most people in the Middle Colonies farmed to earn a living, but cities were important centers of trade.

Middle Colonies were perfect for farming:

*Warm climate*Fertile soil

Farmers: livestock (cattle and pigs), crops like veggies, and grains (wheat, corn, barley)

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a Living

Farmers: livestock (cattle and pigs), crops like veggies, and grains (wheat, corn, barley)Became known as the “breadbasket”

How did children help? They cared for the animals and the garden

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a LivingFree market economy: The PEOPLE, not the government, decides what will be produced.Free enterprise: the economic system in which people may start any business that they believe will succeed

This was happening in the Middle Colonies!

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a LivingCity Life

2 largest and most important cities:**Philadelphia and New York**

(free market economy)*centers of shipping and trade*

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a LivingCity LifeWho found work here?

*Artisan: a personal skilled at making something by hand

*Laborer: a person who does hard physical work (some enslaved)

*Apprentice: someone who studies with a master to learn a skill or business (4-7 years)

Life in the Middle ColoniesMaking a LivingCity Life

*Apprentice: someone who studies with a master to learn important work skills that they will need as an adult(4-7 years)

Boys: shoemaking, printing, bookmakingGirls: spin thread, weave cloth

Philadelphia

Philadelphia today

Philadelphia today

New York City

New York City today