The Middle and Southern Colonies
The Middle Colonies Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, & Delaware Major economic activity= farming (grain crops) & Manufacturing Known as the “Breadbasket” colonies b/c they supplied all others with grain Traded guns, cloth, glassware & iron products for profit Had most diverse population due to so many options for making a profit
Pennsylvania William Penn Penn was a Quaker Founded Pennsylvania Escape religious persecution Penn was a Quaker Everyone has their own “inner light” from God No need for a church or ministers Objected to all political and religious authority Paying taxes and war Pacifists – oppose war or violence to settle disputes
The Southern Colonies Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia & Maryland Major economic activity = farming Major crops = cotton, rice, tobacco and indigo Due to large farming activity, slaves were heavily used in these colonies to produce crops (plantations) These colonies traded surplus crops to England & fed other colony groups
House of Burgesses Virginia colony grew quickly Colonists enjoyed many freedoms Virginia House of Burgesses – group of colonists who were elected to help the colonial governor make laws for the colony of Virginia. 1st elected group of colonists who helped to govern in colonial America
Georgia James Oglethorpe Wealthy member of Parliament Realized many people in England in jail b/c they could not pay their debts Asked King George II for a colony where poor people could start over