The Middle Colonies Farms & Cities

A Wealth of Resources Land Settlers Rich soil – longer growing season Cash crop – grains “bread basket colonies” Settlers Immigrants from all over Europe Brought agriculture knowledge w/ them Result = abundance of food

The Importance of Grist Mills Power source – plenty of fast moving rivers Grind the grain into flour Sold at the market

The Cities Prosper At mouth of rivers Excellent harbor/ports sea trade Philadelphia Rapid growth Wealthy city: improvement – street lights & paved roads New York

A Diverse Region Different groups of people settling the area Germans: farmers and craftsmen Came as indentured servants Sold labor for passage to America Built Conestoga Wagons Sturdy - used to haul goods used in settling the West

A Climate of Tolerance No single group dominated the area Quakers Settled in Pennsylvania Equality between men and women First to speak out against slavery Refused to buy sugar

African-Americans In Middle Colonies 7 % slaves Lived/worked mostly in cities Servants – assistants to craftsmen New York Slave rebellions Some free African – Americans there