The Middle Colonies What was the location of these colonies? Who founded them? How did religion effect the founding of these colonies?

The Breadbasket Colonies? Which colonies (now states) were included? New York New Jersey Delaware Pennsylvania These colonies were great places for farming with their grassy meadows and thick forests. Colonists grew crops such as: wheat, corn, and rye. Answer: The Middle Colonies grew so many crops used in making bread that they came to be called the “breadbasket” colonies.

New Netherland & the English Owned by the Dutch. Included the Hudson Valley (remember Henry Hudson, this area was named after him) Controlled by the Dutch West India Company. Peter Stuyvesant was sent to lead the colony in 1647 as a governor. The company in charge allowed people from other countries (such as France and Italy) to settle in the colonies. Slaves lived here, BUT not all were enslaved; however, those who were “free” had to pay to remain free. King Charles wanted to control the ENTIRE Atlantic Coast of N. America (surprise, surprise)! In 1664, King Charles’ brother, the Duke of York, sent 4 warships to TAKE New Netherland. Sadly the English were far more powerful with a larger army and therefore took control of New Netherland after Mr. Stuyvesant surrendered.

Pennsylvania & Delaware The Colonies New York & New Jersey Pennsylvania & Delaware A charter was given by King Charles II to William Penn (an English Quaker – more information on Quakers coming soon). Penn was given the land by the King because the King owed Penn’s father money. Pennsylvania means “Penn’s Woods” Penn set up a plan of government called the General Assembly. Penn also wrote the Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges, which let white male colonists elect representatives to the Assembly. Originally a Dutch colony. Split in ½ by James, the Duke of York (King Charles’ brother) James kept New York for himself & gave New Jersey to his friends – John Berkley & George Carteret. Quakers lived in these 2 colonies (more info. to come on Quakers). General Assembly: gave citizens freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial by jury.

A.K.A. the Society of Friends The Quakers A.K.A. the Society of Friends A religious group Believed ALL people were equal Refused to fight in wars Forced to leave England Founded the first Quaker settlement in N. America in which they called Salem, New Jersey

What was life like in the Middle Colonies? Diverse – people coming from different places and backgrounds. Many immigrants came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Did you know? Philadelphia means “brotherly love” in Greek?

The Great Awakening snooze….zzzzz….rise and shine!? Believe it or not The Great Awakening was a religious movement! “Awakened” means renew in this case. It changed the way people practiced their religion Key People: George Whitefield & Jonathan Edwards George and Jonathan were ministers who talked to people about having a direct relationship with God. The Great Awakening helped bring people together and led to greater religious toleration (acceptance). Revivals were held. What are revivals you ask? They are simply prayer meetings. GUESS WHAT……Women played a HUGE role in the movement & Africans (free and enslaved) were allowed to participate! This movement was NOT popular with everybody. (surprise, surprise)

The Importance of Religion The Middle Colonies were home to MANY types of religions; unlike the New England Colonies. Towns often had more than one type of church. For example, a Presbyterian church might be just down the road from a Quaker meetinghouse. Effect on the lives of the colonists: Changed their view of one another. Quakers in Germantown, PA (PA is the abbreviation of Pennsylvania) protested slavery. Free Time activities increased: people went to plays, dances, concerts, and had barn raisings.

Philadelphia, PA Grows In 1682 there were 10 houses, 50 years later there were more than 11,000 people, and by 1770 there were more than 28,000 people. A famous scientist lived in Philly (as the locals call it), do you know who it was? The famous scientist was…

…Benjamin Franklin He helped the city by: Setting up the 1st trained firefighting company. Raising money to build the city’s first hospital. Setting up a militia. Founding PA’s first college and public library.

Busy Bees The colonists of the Middle Colonies made their living by farming and raising livestock. REMEMBER: The 3 main crops were rye, corn, and wheat. What did they do with what they grew and raised? They sold or traded at market towns. While visiting the market cities, farm families would shop at the general store buying things they weren’t able to make themselves.

Port Cities Hmmm, what could a port city be? New York City most important port city The Hudson River made trade easier The harbor was along the East River making it a great place for ships to dock. Farmers, fur traders, and lumber workers could float their goods down the river to New York City. Philadelphia The busiest port. Built along the Delaware River. Farmers, merchants, and traders sent their goods down the river to the port. Ships sailed down the river and then across the Atlantic.

Key Vocabulary Refuge: a safe place Proprietor: an owner Trial by Jury: the right of a person to be tried by a jury (group of citizens) to decided if they are guilty or innocent Justice: fairness Diversity: differences among people Immigrant: a person who comes into a country to make a new life Religious Toleration: acceptance of religious differences Militia: a volunteer army Prosperity: economic success Awakened: