Coach Kuntz United States History The Middle Colonies Coach Kuntz United States History

New York and New Jersey -In 1664, England and the Netherlands were fighting for trade and colonies in the Americas. That year, England seized New Netherlands from the Dutch and renamed this colony New York after the King’s brother, the Duke of York. -In The Duke of York decided to split New York and create a proprietary colony called New Jersey. -Proprietary Colony- land given to one or more people in return for a yearly payment. -In 1702, the colony became a royal colony.

Pennsylvania -In 1681, William Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania. Penn was a member of the Quakers. -Quakers- Protestant reformers who believe in equality for all people, allowed women to preach, and opposed war and refused to join the military. -Penn wanted the colony to be a model of religious freedom and the colony became home to protestants, Catholics, and Jews who fled to the colony to avoid persecution. -Penn also believed that the lands in the Americas belonged to the Native Americans and that settlers should have to purchase the lands from them.

Delaware -Some of the Pennsylvania residents did not want to send government delegates to the distant Pennsylvania capital of Philadelphia. -William Penn allowed the colonists to elect their own assembly to govern the area. -In 1704, the lower colonies of Pennsylvania were allowed to break away and formed the new colony of Delaware.

Middle Colony Environment & Economy -The soil in the Middle Colonies was rich and fertile and the winters were milder than in New England. -The majority of the people in the Middle Colonies made a living by farming. -The Middle Colonies exported so much grain, that they became known as the Bread Basket Colonies. -The Middle Colonies also benefitted from the presence of iron, which was turned into nails, tools, and parts for guns.