The Thirteen Colonies Geographic Regions

Three Geographic Regions The New England Colonies The Middle Colonies The Southern Colonies

The New England Colonies Colonies: The four original New England Colonies were : New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Economies: Farming in the New England Colonies was difficult due to the poor soil, cold climate and short growing season. Families in New England grew enough food to feed their families but had to rely on manufacturing and trade to earn livings. Shipbuilding, fishing, whaling. Natural Resources: The natural resources of New England were fish, whales, trees, and furs. People: The people who settled and lived in the New England Colonies were from England. Middle Class. Few slaves. Puritans- church was center of life. Religion: The established religion of the New England Colonies was Puritan. Government: Democratic traditions Climate: The Climate in the New England colonies was colder than the other two regions due to the northern location. Short growing season- cold winters. Geography: The geography of New England was mostly hills and rocky soil. Located near ocean. Lots of rivers and streams.

The Middle Colonies Colonies: The Middle Colonies consisted of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Economy: “Breadbasket” colonies because of cash crops of grain, large farms, some slave labor. Climate/Geography: The climate in the Middle Colonies was relatively hot. This allowed for a longer growing season. Flat land, fertile soil. People: Most diverse and tolerant region. Dutch, German, Africans in cities. QUAKERS- very tolerant. Religion: The Middle colonists were a mixture of religions, including Quakers, Catholics, Lutherans, Jews, and others.

The Southern Colonies Colonies: Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. Economy: Plantation economy creates a wealthy, elite class Crops: Indigo, tobacco, and rice CASH CROPS Relied on SLAVE LABOR Climate/Geography: Warmest climate, very humid/ longest growing season: nearly year round, VERY fertile soil People: Large slave population. Some very wealthy/ some very poor. Religion: Baptists and Anglicans less a part of daily life than in other regions.

Backcountry Area ran through the far western edges of the colonies. Near the Appalachian Mountains. Economy: Small farms, subsistence farming. Relied on hunting, fishing, and trapping. Mostly poor. Land: rocky soil, woods and streams. Climate: Varied by location Culture: Scotts-Irish. Clan system helped people survive the difficulties of region. Reputation as wild place because of fighting between different clan groups.

The Thirteen Original Colonies New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island Delaware Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Virginia Maryland North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Back End Show