Topic 1: Colonial America (1607-1783) Major Question: Why did we separate from Britain?

Map of the original 13 Colonies

New England Colonies Massachusetts Religion Economy Communities Puritanism Economy Manufacturing Fishing Communities Work hard to worship God. Puritans> Anglicans Hard work gets you closer to God, hard work actually gains status. Came to America searching for religious freedom.

New England Colonies Government Minister heads the community Voters would elect selectmen Dispense land, determine taxes, settle arguments Literate people To read the bible

Middle Colonies Pennsylvania Religion Economy Communities Protestant Quaker Religious toleration Indian toleration All are free to choose their own path in life Economy Banking Light Farming Communities Came to America looking for farmland Used indentured servants People who work a number of years to repay the cost of passage. If they survived they earned freedom and land.

Middle Colonies Government “Let good men be good and the government cannot be bad; if it be ill they will cure it.”

Southern colonies Virginia Religion Economy Communities Protestant Economy Heavy agriculture Slavery Communities Came to America to make money Produced tobacco, rice, indigo Labor-intensive crops required slave labor Forcing someone to work for free, often in troubling conditions

Southern Colonies Government The House of Burgesses (elected) Government based upon representation Elected made all the decisions in the colony

Colonial Development What features of any colony caused the people to eventually separate from England?

Colonial Development Example Middle Colonies: William Penn had once said, “let good men be good and the government cannot be bad; if it be ill they will cure it.” The Quaker religion in the Middle Colonies desired “good” people to run a “good” government. If the people were “bad” the government would be “bad.” Penn challenged people to fix their government when the people thought it had turned “bad/evil.” When the British turned “bad” in the Revolution, the people of Pennsylvania would more likely be ready to “cure” the government. Each colony got a taste of independence and would refuse to let it go if it was ever threatened.