Life in Colonial America Marci Friedman

Reasons for coming to America To increase wealth through more trade opportunities Religious freedom and to escape religious persecution in Europe The chance to own land and make money off of crops

The First Settlers The first settlers to America came from Spain, France, Sweden, Holland, and England. They started claiming land in the 17th century. English colonies were set up all along the Atlantic coast. The Swedish and the Dutch established colonies in and around what is now the state of New York. As more and more people arrived in the New World, more and more conflicts arose over territory. Many wars were fought in the 1600s and 1700s. In the French and Indian War (1754-1763), France and England fought over territory. England won the war and got control of Canada, as well as keeping control of all the English colonies.

Three Different Regions New England Middle Colonies Southern Colonies

These current states made up the New England colonies: Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New Hampshire

More about New England Colonies Most of the people who settled in the New England colonies were looking for the freedom to practice their religion. They were very self-sufficient. They grew most of their own food, and made their own clothes and shoes. Although some of these people came to New England to make money, the majority of colonists to the New England region came for religious reasons. Colonists in New England were mostly farmers and fishermen. They grew crops like corn and wheat, which they shipped back to England. Boston was the major New England port. The Pilgrims set up the colony of Plymouth in 1620 in New England, in what is now the state of Massachusetts. This was the second colony to be set up in North America; Jamestown in Virginia was the first.

These current states made up the Middle colonies: Delaware Pennsylvania New York New Jersey

More about the Middle Colonies Like the New England colonies, the people who founded the Middle Colonies were looking to practice their own religion. Settlers in the Middle Colonies worked as farmers, as well as factory workers. Wheat and other grains grew on farms in Pennsylvania and New York. Factories in Maryland produced iron, and factories in Pennsylvania produced paper and textiles. Like New England, trade with England was plentiful in these colonies as well.

These current states made up the Southern colonies: Maryland Virginia South Carolina North Carolina Georgia

More about the Southern Colonies Most of the founders of the Southern Colonies came to America to make money. Most Southern colonists were farmers who lived on plantations, and owned slaves who harvested their crops. Plantations usually grew tobacco, rice, and indigo. Southern colonists saw America as a new market for their crops. They sold their crops to both England and other American colonies. The English colony of Jamestown, in what is now the state of Virginia, was the first permanent settlement in North America. It was established in 1607.

Which colony would you have wanted to live in? How were the different colonial regions alike? How were they different? Which colony would you have wanted to live in? Why?

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