The Middle Colonies New York Pennsylvania Delaware New Jersey
New York & NYC Founded by the Dutch Known as New Amsterdam They: –Traded for fur –Were tolerant of all religions –Produced wheat
Pennsylvania William Penn created Pennsylvania for the Quakers, a Protestant sect that was very peaceful Had a government that was fair to all the people!
Characteristics of the Middle Colonies Fertile soil with good growing season Sits in a river valley Grew staple crops, like wheat, barley, and oats. –Called the breadbasket colonies!
Life in the Middle Colonies Jobs: Farmers, shipbuilders, fur traders Cities grew quickly & were centers for trade Mixed religious backgrounds: Quaker, Jewish, Christian, Catholic Slaves used as skilled laborers Immigrants from many Europeans countries (Irish, Dutch, English)
The Frontier… Soil was very good in the valleys Subsistence Farming Grew wheat and corn Raised hogs (pigs!) Made moon shine (whiskey)
Life on the Frontier Jobs: Farming and Trapping for fur Self-educated, learned from the Bible Mostly Protestant Immigrants were Scottish, German & Irish Very independent, democratic, and wanted equality