Chapter 2, Section 3 The Middle Colonies

The English created New York and New Jersey from former Dutch territory. 1613: Dutch founded New Netherland –As a fur trading post –Center of fur trade was town of New Amsterdam Generous land grants/religious tolerance attracted diverse population –Jews, French Huguenots, Puritans 1664: English Navy captures New Netherlands –Renamed New York –New Amsterdam renamed N.Y.City Duke of York gives land to Carteret and Berkeley –Named New Jersey –Diverse population Dutch, Swedes, Finns, Scots

William Penn established the colony of Pennsylvania. Quakers were a religious group –Persecuted in both England and the colonies –Many Quaker beliefs/practices shocked most colonists Equality of men and women practiced non-violence Religious tolerance William Penn wanted to start his own colony as a safe place for Quakers –1681: Charles II grants charter –Colony named Pennsylvania Pennsylvania grew rapidly –Penn establishes elected assembly Limits his own power –Promised religious freedom to all Christians –Capital city named Philadelphia “City of Brotherly Love”

The economy of the Middle Colonies was supported by trade and staple crops. Middle colonies combined characteristics of both New England and the South –Good climate/rich soil –Grow lots of staple crops Wheat, barley, oats Labor force –Slavery less important than in the South Skilled laborers in cities –Blacksmiths, carpenters, shipbuilders –Indentured servants filled growing need for labor : 135,000 servants move to middle colonies By 1760: Philadelphia biggest colonial city for England Trade important to the economy of the Middle Colonies –Merchants exported colonial goods to Britain and West Indies –Especially wheat –Women made important contributions to the economy. Ran businesses –Grocery stores –Bakery –Drugstore –Women worked mostly from the home Sold butter Washed people’s clothes