The New England Colonies

I. Geography of New England

(Landscape) Land has hills and low mountains. Covered with forests *(Landscape) Land has hills and low mountains. Covered with forests. * Rocky soil. * (Climate) Long snowy winters, short warm summers.

II. Massachusetts

1. Founded originally as two different colonies: Plymouth Colony in 1620 by the Pilgrims, and Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 by the Puritans. 2. The two colonies were united in 1691. (John Winthrop: leader) 3. Great for fishing, growing corn, raising livestock, lumbering and shipbuilding. 4. Name came from a tribal word meaning “large hill place.”

III. Other Colonies New Hampshire Connecticut Rhode Island

Rhode Island: (1636) 1. Settled by two different Massachusetts groups , united in 1644. (Roger Williams: founder) 2. Great place for raising livestock, dairy, fishing and lumbering. 3. Name came from the Dutch, meaning “red island.” Connecticut: (1635) 1. Founded by settlers originally from Massachusetts. 2. Named New Haven Colony and soon renamed Connecticut. (Thomas Hooker: founder) 3. Great land for growing wheat and corn and for catching fish. 4. Name came from an Algonquin word, meaning “beside the long tidal river.

New Hampshire: (1623) 1. 1641-1643, became part of Massachusetts, In 1679, became its own colony. (John Wheelwright: Founder) 2. Great place to manufacture textiles, shipbuilding, growing potatoes and fishing. 3. Named for the “county of Hampshire in England.”

Middle Colonies

Warm climate, fertile soil for farming * Warm climate, fertile soil for farming. * Made up of 4 colonies: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware * Most diverse population, (many European Countries)

New York (largest)

Most populous, farthest north * Most populous, farthest north * Founded by the Dutch West India Company and was known as “New Netherland.” (1624) * Renamed in 1664, King Charles II gave New Netherland to his brother James, “Duke of York.” * Economically successful : farming, fur trade, shipbuilding, iron works

Pennsylvania (2nd Largest)

Settled by the Dutch and Swedes, but England took control in 1664 * Settled by the Dutch and Swedes, but England took control in 1664. Then it was granted to William Penn by Charles II in 1682. * Named for William Penn and for the Latin word sylvania, meaning “forest.” * largest city: Philadelphia (1st planned city) * Called “America’s breadbasket” * Many settlers were Scot-Irish. * Germans in colony became known as Pennsylvania Dutch.

New Jersey

Originally settled by the Dutch, But later was taken over by England * Originally settled by the Dutch, But later was taken over by England. * Established in 1665 when Southern NY was split off to form a new colony. * Named for the “Isle of Jersey in England.”

Delaware (smallest)

1638. First settlers were from Sweden * 1638 * First settlers were from Sweden. * Created as lower counties of Pennsylvania. * 1704, became separate colony. * Named for an early governor of Virginia, “Lord de la Warr.”

Southern Colonies

Geography of the Southern Colonies

All 5 colonies located south of Mason Dixon Line * All 5 colonies located south of Mason Dixon Line * Warm and Humid climate. * Hot summers provide long growing seasons. * rice/tobacco/indigo

Virginia

1607 (1st to settle). Founded by the London Company (John Smith) * 1607 (1st to settle) * Founded by the London Company (John Smith). * Named for England’s Queen Elizabeth I. * Known for growing tobacco.

Maryland

1632, Land was granted to Lord Baltimore * 1632, Land was granted to Lord Baltimore. * Named for “Queen Henrietta Maria of England.” * Set up as a place for Catholics to worship freely. * 1649, Lord Baltimore passed Act of Toleration: welcomed Christians and gave right to vote.

Carolinas (North/South)

Granted land by Charles II in 1663. Separated into 2 colonies in 1712 * Granted land by Charles II in 1663. * Separated into 2 colonies in 1712. * Great land for growing indigo, rice, tobacco, and cotton. (depended on enslaved labor) * The name Carolina came from the Latin word Carolus, meaning “Land of Charles.”

Georgia

James Oglethorpe granted land by George II in 1733 * James Oglethorpe granted land by George II in 1733. (Last colony to settle) *Great land for growing indigo, rice, and sugar. * Named for England’s King George II. * Founded b/c: a. England feared Spain was expanding its Florida colony northward. b. a colony for English debtors.