Colonial America Colonial Regions

Colonial Regions New England Middle Southern

The New England Colonies Massachusetts Connecticut New Hampshire Rhode Island

New England Colonies Land: Rocky soil Forested land - lots of timber Not useful for large scale farming Climate: Long, cold winters Mild summers

New England Colonies Economy: Farming was not profitable on a large scale due to soil Main economic sources: Fishing Shipbuilding Trade A merchant class was established - importing and exporting

New England Colonies Religion and government went hand in hand: Government leaders were also church leaders in Puritan New England. Only male church members could vote and the process was very selective. Thomas Hooker - wanted a more democratic order so he took his followers and founded Connecticut. Roger Williams - did not agree with church leadership. He wanted separation of church and state and believed in religious tolerance. He left Massachusetts founded Rhode Island. Community: Non-Diverse White English Small farms around small towns Religious - Church was the social center Education was important - important to read the Bible

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The Middle Colonies New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware

The Middle Colonies Land: Good, fertile soil Coastline Climate: Moderate Mild winters

The Middle Colonies Economy: “The Breadbasket Colonies” Farming - mild climate and fertile soil Main cash crops were staple crops (crops that are always needed) - wheat, barley, oats and other grains Raised livestock Trade - Merchants in the large cities (New York and Philadelphia) exported goods to other markets

The Middle Colonies Community: Diverse: Immigrants from many areas Religiously tolerant

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The Southern Colonies Virginia Maryland North Carolina South Carolina Georgia

The Southern Colonies Land: Fertile soil Natural harbors - coastline Forests - timber Rivers Climate: Hot summers - humid Mild winters Longer growing season due to mild, warm temperatures

The Southern Colonies Economy: Agriculture - good climate and fertile soil means a longer growing season CASH CROPS Tobacco Cotton Rice Indigo Large farms - PLANTATIONS Large labor force needed - SLAVES

The Southern Colonies Community: More diverse than New England but less than the middle colonies Social classes Plantation owners were the elite and controlled government and society Yeoman farmers - small farmers Indentured servants - Non land owners Slaves

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Colonial Life - The events that shaped the colonies Rights and Government Mayflower Compact: Agreement written by Pilgrims on the Mayflower. Established law and order for the colony - created a legal authority and an assembly. It asserted that the government’s power came from the consent of the governed and not from God. Colonial Courts - colonists used courts to control local affairs. The courts reflected the beliefs of their immediate local community. The prevailing religious beliefs of the area were taken into account and normal dictated the courts actions.

Colonial Life - The events that shaped the colonies Colonial government Each colony had its own government with power through a charter granted by the king. The king had ultimate power over the colonies English Bill of Rights Parliament reduced the powers of the English king and gave more power to parliament Colonial Courts - colonists used courts to control local affairs

Colonial Life - The events that shaped the colonies Mercantilism - one of England’s major reasons for establishing and controlling colonies was to control trade. Limitations on the colonies – England controlled what and how the colonies could trade. Navigation Acts forbade the colonists from trading certain goods with any country other than England. Also goods from the colonies had to go through English ports and be taxed One of England’s major reasons for establishing and controlling colonies was to control trade - Mercantilism. By controlling trade routes, England could control the import and export of goods. More exports than imports meant more profit for England.

Colonial Life - Triangular Trade Trade Routes – although the colonists traded almost exclusively with England, the routes were not direct. The trade became Triangular. The Slave Trade and The Middle Passage The Middle Passage transported slaves from Africa to the Americas. Traders exchanged rum for slaves in Africa and then sold the slaves in the West Indies for molasses or brought them to America and sold them there. The Middle Passage was a horrific journey for the slaves. There were confined to very small and overcrowded conditions for up to three months. Many died, many from disease that was rampant on the ships. Slaves had become a valuable commodity.

Colonial Life - Movements The Great Awakening: A religious movement in the colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. It was a series of revivals and religious gatherings. Ministers stressed personal religious experiences over formal church rules. It changed the face of colonial religion. All church members could play a part. The Great Awakening emphasized the role of the individual. The Enlightenment: Took place during the 1700s in Europe. Believed that reason and logic could improve society. No longer was there total belief in the church. Individual rights became important. Thinkers believed that individuals had natural rights - John Locke. These thinkers had great influence on our founding fathers.

Effects - The French and Indian War Britain and France trying to control more territory in North America British settlers want to move into the Ohio Valley The French capture Fort Necessity Treaty of Paris A shift in the balance of power in North America Britain gets Canada, all of the French lands east of the Mississippi except New Orleans, Florida (from Spain) British settlers now began to move west! English War Debt! British colonists want to settle in the Ohio Valley. France believes this will hurt the fur trade. Young George Washington arrives with his troops and builds small Fort Necessity. The French capture the fort and the war begins. Treaty of Paris ends the war - Effect - Britain got Canada Britain gained all French lands east of the Mississippi except New Orleans Britain got Florida from Spain (who had allied with France during the war) Spain already had Louisiana from the French due to an earlier treaty The balance of power had changed in North America. - British settlers began moving west. Britain and Spain began vying for power of new lands.

Slavery in the Colonies The Middle Passage: The portion of triangular trade that brought slaves from Africa to the West Indies and America. Harsh, cruel conditions were endured on the ships. Many died.

Slavery in the Colonies New England Colonies: Slavery was not needed due to economy No large scale labor force needed Africans worked as servants, cooks, stable hands and other manual laborers Some religious groups opposed slavery This region was more tolerant and therefore was home to many free blacks. Middle Colonies: Although not as widespread as the South, slaves were used in the Middle Colonies due to need for labor By 1750, 7% of the population was slaves Enslaved Africans were used for manual labor, as servants, as assistants to merchants and artisans Free Africans found work in the port cities Southern Colonies: Main source of labor in the south Large plantations needed inexpensive (free) labor Harsh treatment, long hours, no freedoms By 1750, 40% of the population was slaves.