Original 13 Colonies

Regional ColoniesRegional Colonies• New England

Colonieso Massachusettso Connecticuto Rhode Islando New Hampshire

• Middle Colonieso Delawareo New Yorko New Jerseyo Pennsylvania

• Southern Colonieso Marylando Virginiao North Carolinao South Carolinao Georgia

New New England England ColoniesColonies

GeographyGeography• Bitterly cold winters

and mild summers. • Land was flat close to

the coastline but became hilly and mountainous farther inland.

• Soil was rocky, making farming difficult.

• Very short growing season

• Cold winters reduced the spread of disease

Religion Religion

• Puritans, reformers seeking to “purify” Christianity

• Puritans followed strict rules and were intolerant of other religions

• New England Way of Life• Singing and celebrating holidays were

among things prohibited in Puritan New England

Puritans Even Ban Puritans Even Ban CHRISTMAS!CHRISTMAS!

EconomyEconomy • Dependent on the

ocean. • Fishing, trapping

and fur trading, shipbuilding, and logging

• Subsistence Farming

• Triangular Trade

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade

GovernmentGovernment• Seeds of Democracy• Mayflower Compact – majority rule• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – first

Constitution• Virginia House of Burgesses- first

Representative Assembly

Middle ColoniesMiddle Colonies

GeographyGeography• Warm summers and cold winters• Coastal plains along the coastline, piedmont

(rolling hills) in the middle, and mountains farther inland

• Good coastal harbors for shipping • Climate and land were ideal for agriculture

EconomyEconomy• Longer

growing season

• “Bread-basket colonies”

• Grain = Cash Crop

ReligionReligion• No single religion seemed to dominate the entire

region. • Religious tolerance attracted immigrants

Quakers, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans and Presbyterians

Southern ColoniesSouthern Colonies

GeographyGeography• Warm climate with hot

summers and mild winters. • Coastal plains in the east to

piedmont farther inland. The westernmost regions were mountainous.

• Soil was perfect for farming long growing season

• Hot summers = diseases (malaria & yellow fever)

EconomyEconomy• Almost entirely based on farming. • Rice, indigo, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton were cash

crops. • Crops were grown on large plantations where slaves and

indentured servants worked the land. • Charleston, South Carolina became one of the centers of the

American slave trade in the 1700′s.

ReligionReligion• Anglican (Baptist or Presbyterian) • Maryland founded it as a refuge for English

Catholics. • Religion did not have the same impact on

communities • Plantations that were often distant and spread

out from one another.

Columbian ExchangeColumbian Exchange

Columbian ExchangeColumbian Exchange• Movement of plants, animals, & diseases between

the Americas and Europe• Negatives:• Diseases brought by Europeans decimate Native

Americans• Positives:• Introduction of new crops and foods to both

hemisphereso Grapes, onions, wheat, cattle, pigs & horses thrive in Americaso Potatoes and corn brought back to Europe – basis for new diets

Slavery BeginsSlavery Begins• As plantation system grows there is an increased

need for labor• Indentured servants• Slavery begins• Little need for slaves in New England colonies due

to short growing season• Planter class grows in Southern colonies as cash

crops such as indigo grow

Life in SlaveryLife in Slavery• Directed by an overseer• Spent 15 + hours working • Lived in small one room cabins• Slaves do retain customs, traditions and beliefs

from their homeland• African kinship customs become basis for African

American family unit