The Southern Colonies Chapter 3, Section 3

Lord Baltimore Founds Maryland In 1634, the second Southern colony, Maryland is settled on the Chesapeake Bay. Lord Baltimore is given Maryland as a proprietary colony, a colony governed by a single owner. Maryland’s economy was based on tobacco. Planters always searched for workers. Most laborers were indentured servants or slaves.

Region of the South Southern region stretched from the borders of the Spanish colony of Florida through the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland. Shared common climate and culture. The Appalachian Mountains bordered the region to the west, and the flat coast line (tidewater) bordered the east. Tidewater, planting of warm-weather crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo could easily survive in the rich soil and warm climate.

Region of the South

Proprietors Plan Their Colony Proprietors hoped to attract settlers by offering: 1.) Religious toleration 2.) Large land grants 3.) Political representation 1685, Charleston becomes a refuge for Huguenots, or French Protestants who fled seeking freedom.

Rice and Slavery 1690’s, Carolina’s economy began to export rice. Growing rice required a large labor force, so planters imported African slaves. Captured Native Americans were also put to work.

Georgia In 1732, James Oglethorpe received a charter from King George II. First settlement was built at Savannah. The colony was established for debtors and the poor who wished to start a fresh life. Georgia become diverse, accepting all sorts of people from: English, German, Swiss, and Scottish

Oglethorpe’s Polices Oglethorpe: 1.) Opposed large plantations and slavery. Was in favor of small individual owned farms. 2.) Believed in a free population in which he believed could better defend itself against attack. 3.) Feared slave revolts might weaken the economy. Colonists were upset with Oglethorpe's policies and were envious of South Carolinas prosperity. Georgia became a royal colony and turned into a plantation society.

Southern Religion The Anglican church was successful established in the south, however, the south was very tolerant, in hopes to attract future settlers.