1. The
Middle
Colonies

2. New York
Started By: Dutch. Taken over by England’s Duke of York – King Charles’ brother
Why?: Economic reasons (resources and trade)
Year Founded: 1624
Other Information: New York City originally named New Amsterdam
Peter Stuyvesant “Peg Leg Pete” (Dutch Governor)
Manhattan Island was bought from
Native Americans for a small amount of
beads & other goods

3. New Jersey Started By: Lord John Berkeley & Sir George Carteret
Why?: Economic reasons
Year Founded: 1638
Other Information: Very Diverse ;
Offered freedom of religion,
Free land, self-government

4. Pennsylvania Started by: William Penn & Quakers (Society of Friends)
Why?: Religious Freedom
Year Founded:1682
Other Information: Quakers-a religious group who were persecuted-believed in equality (did not bow to lords) and pacifism, established Philadelphia “City of Brotherly Love”
Penn sent pamphlets to other countries
to advertise his colony

5. Delaware Started by: Swedish settlers Why?: Economic reasons
Year Founded:1638
Other Information: Broke off of Pennsylvania; “Three Lower
Counties” of Pennsylvania

6. Economy Wheat and other grains Cash crops “bread basket” Shipping
Iron Manufacturing

7. Climate
Mild winters
Hot summers

8. Geography Rich soil – NJ & Delaware, Swampy in the East
Wooded Mountains in the West (NY & PA)
Good land for farming grains

9. NEW YORK
Taken from the Dutch because of the excellent harbor for trade.
The Dutch called NY: New Netherlands
New Amsterdam was renamed New York City.
Manhattan Island was bought from the Native Americans for trinkets worth about $24.

10. Pennsylvania William Penn advertised his colony throughout Europe.
Many Germans settled in PA and became successful farmers.
Philadelphia (city in PA) means “City of brotherly love.”

11. Religion
To escape religious persecution in Massachusetts, many left to live in the Middle colonies where there was religious tolerance.

12. Diversity Cultural diversity: variety
Because of its tolerance, immigrants from many countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany, settled in the Middle Colonies.

13. Economy
The Middle Colonies were known as the “Breadbasket Colonies” because of their widespread grain farming.
Cash crop: farm crop raised to be sold for money