Colonial America Overview

New England Region Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New Hampshire

Mid-Atlantic Region Pennsylvania Delaware New Jersey New York

Southern Region Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia

Governments Self governing – Massachusetts and a few others were allowed to rule themselves. However, no law could be in opposition to the king. Royal colonies – These were colonies like Pennsylvania whose laws were made by England or a royal governor

Religions Church of England – England’s only legal Church during colonial times. All other types of churches were illegal. Puritan – Massachusetts was the main Puritan colony. Puritans strictly followed the Bible and the church created all town laws. They were kicked out of England, so they wanted religious freedom in America.

Religions con’t. Quaker – Quakers were also not allowed in England as they did not believe in war or violence. They were finally given permission to settle in Pennsylvania where they found religious freedom. Catholics – The Church of England was scared of the Catholic Church most of all. However, many Catholics found refuge in colonial Maryland.

Economics New England – subsistence farming (farming only for yourself b/c of poor soil), shipbuilding, trading, lumber, whaling, and fishing

Economics con’t Mid-Atlantic – shipbuilding, large grain farms, lumber, trading, and fishing

Economics con’t Southern colonies – large plantations producing cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo, and cotton)