Early American Colonies
How the colonies are alike Most immigrated from England Spoke a common language Similar culture Expected to provide England with raw goods (food, tobacco, lumber, naval stores, deer hides) Had to purchase finished products from England
How the colonies are different
New England
New Hampshire New Hampshire Massachusetts Bay Massachusetts Bay Rhode Island Rhode Island Connecticut Connecticut
Climate Cold Cold Rocky soil, hilly land Rocky soil, hilly land Short growing season Short growing season
People Mostly English Mostly English Very few enslaved Africans Very few enslaved Africans Household servants, laborers, skilled and semiskilled workers Household servants, laborers, skilled and semiskilled workers
Economy fishing, sea trade, shipbuilding, shipping, blacksmiths, coopers, silversmiths, furniture makers fishing, sea trade, shipbuilding, shipping, blacksmiths, coopers, silversmiths, furniture makers small farms for family use small farms for family use
Religion Puritans – very religious! Puritans – very religious! Most colonies here were founded for religious reasons Most colonies here were founded for religious reasons
Education School laws School laws The ability to read the Bible was vital. The ability to read the Bible was vital.
Cities Small towns Small towns Port cities Port cities Boston, Providence, Newport Boston, Providence, Newport
Middle Atlantic
New York New Jersey Delaware Pennsylvania
Climate Temperate Longer growing season Fertile soil
People Most diverse of the colonies –English, Dutch, German Some enslaved Africans
Economy Farming considered the breadbasket (wheat, oats, corn) Mining (iron, other minerals) Factories Timber for ships, barrels, wagons
Religion Diverse – Quakers, Catholics, Lutherans, Jews
Education No school laws Private tutors Church schools
Cities Largest cities of the colonies –Philadelphia –New York
Southern
Southern Virginia Virginia Maryland Maryland North Carolina North Carolina South Carolina South Carolina Georgia Georgia
Climate On the coastal plain On the coastal plain Warm to hot Warm to hot Inland fertile, dry soil Inland fertile, dry soil Coast poor, wet soil Coast poor, wet soil
People Mostly English and Scots- Irish with a few groups of Scots and German Mostly English and Scots- Irish with a few groups of Scots and German Enslaved Africans (over 30% of local populations) Enslaved Africans (over 30% of local populations)
Economy Agrarian (farming) Agrarian (farming) –Numerous small farms –Plantations – large farm built to produce one cash crop with high continuous demand VA, MD – tobacco GA, SC – rice, indigo timber timber
Religion Many religions represented Many religions represented –Mostly Anglican, Presbyterian
Education No school laws No school laws Very few schools and most had no education Very few schools and most had no education Wealthy Wealthy –Private tutors –Sent to private schools
Cities Few towns and cities Few towns and cities Charleston – only major city Charleston – only major city
Georgia How did it compare?
Climate Summer heat Biting insects Strange plants and animals – alligator, opossum, buffalo, raccoon, rattlesnake
People Immigrants from many countries England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, France
Economy Agrarian
Religion Variety – Anglicans, Jews, Lutherans, Moravians, Baptists, Presbyterians
Education Very little education Most had none Wealthy had tutors or private school
Cities Small communities far apart Savannah Augusta
War with France
1754 Great Britain and France went to war. The war started in North America then spread to Europe
French and Indian War Called this by colonists because so many Indians fought with France against the British Most fighting was way north of Georgia Spain joined France but the British won
Treaty of Paris France gave up claims to Canada and all territory EAST of the Mississippi River except New Orleans Spain gave up Florida Georgia’s western boundary became the Mississippi River
Problem what to do with the new territory the war cost Great Britain lots of money
Proclamation of 1763 4 new territories were created Quebec Grenada East Florida West Florida Georgia’s southern boundary was extended to the St. Mary’s River All lands west of the Appalachian Mts. were reserved for Indians