Original 13 Colonies

Regional Colonies New England Colonies o Massachusetts o Connecticut o Rhode Island o New Hampshire Middle Colonies o Delaware o New York o New Jersey o Pennsylvania Southern Colonies o Maryland o Virginia o North Carolina o South Carolina o Georgia

New England Colonies

Geography Bitterly cold winters and mild summers. Land was flat close to the coastline but became hilly and mountainous farther inland. Soil was rocky, making farming difficult. Very short growing season Cold winters reduced the spread of disease

Religion Puritans, reformers seeking to “purify” Christianity Puritans followed strict rules and were intolerant of other religions New England Way of Life Singing and celebrating holidays were among things prohibited in Puritan New England

Puritans Even Ban CHRISTMAS!

Economy Dependent on the ocean. Fishing, trapping and fur trading, shipbuilding, and logging Subsistence Farming Triangular Trade

Government Seeds of Democracy Mayflower Compact – majority rule Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – first Constitution Virginia House of Burgesses- first Representative Assembly

Middle Colonies

Geography Warm summers and cold winters Coastal plains along the coastline, piedmont (rolling hills) in the middle, and mountains farther inland Good coastal harbors for shipping Climate and land were ideal for agriculture

Economy Longer growing season “Bread- basket colonies” Grain = Cash Crop

Religion No single religion seemed to dominate the entire region. Religious tolerance attracted immigrants Quakers, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans and Presbyterians

Southern Colonies

Geography Warm climate with hot summers and mild winters. Coastal plains in the east to piedmont farther inland. The westernmost regions were mountainous. Soil was perfect for farming long growing season Hot summers = diseases (malaria & yellow fever)

Economy Almost entirely based on farming. Rice, indigo, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton were cash crops. Crops were grown on large plantations where slaves and indentured servants worked the land. Charleston, South Carolina became one of the centers of the American slave trade in the 1700′s.

Religion Anglican (Baptist or Presbyterian) Maryland founded it as a refuge for English Catholics. Religion did not have the same impact on communities Plantations that were often distant and spread out from one another.

Columbian Exchange

Movement of plants, animals, & diseases between the Americas and Europe Negatives: Diseases brought by Europeans decimate Native Americans Positives: Introduction of new crops and foods to both hemispheres o Grapes, onions, wheat, cattle, pigs & horses thrive in Americas o Potatoes and corn brought back to Europe – basis for new diets

Slavery Begins As plantation system grows there is an increased need for labor Indentured servants Slavery begins Little need for slaves in New England colonies due to short growing season Planter class grows in Southern colonies as cash crops such as indigo grow

Life in Slavery Directed by an overseer Spent 15 + hours working Lived in small one room cabins Slaves do retain customs, traditions and beliefs from their homeland African kinship customs become basis for African American family unit