The Middle Colonies: Farms and Cities

The Quakers believed that people of different beliefs could live together in harmony. They helped to create a climate of tolerance and acceptance in the middle colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, as you will read in this section.

The Middle Colonies attracted Dutch and German farmers who, through their use of advanced farming techniques, were able to grow cash crops of fruits, vegetables and above all grain.

At a gristmill, corn, wheat, rye, and other grains, were turned into flower or meal which could be later turned into bread, or be sold at market.

Excellent harbors of the Middle Colonies were ideal cites for cities. Large port cities like New York and Philadelphia quickly grew in the early 1700s.

Philadelphia Founded on the Delaware River Merchants exported grain and cash crops from local farms and imported manufactured goods from England Philadelphia became the fastest growing city in the colonies due to trade. The Cities wealth brought many public improvements.

New York City (NYC) Ports handled flour, bread, furs and Whale Oil. Because the colony was a merchant economy there was little need for slaves. Only 7% of the population in the Middle Colonies were slaves. NYC had the largest population of people of African descent than any other Northern city.

Middle Colony port towns attracted many German immigrants. Some of these immigrants were artisans who created cottage industries that would later form the basis of the factory system. Most came as indentured servants fleeing religious intolerance. Diversity and Tolerance

Germans influence Middle Colony culture Many Germans were attracted to Pennsylvania because the colony did not tax its people in order to support a particular denomination. Famous for Farming Skilled craftsman developed long rifles, worked as ironworkers, glass, furniture, and kitchenware makers

Germans built Conestoga wagons to carry their produce and goods to town. The first Conestoga wagons appeared in Pennsylvania around 1725 and are thought to have been introduced by Mennonite German settlers in that area, and its name came from the Conestoga Valley in that region.

Because of the large number of Dutch in New York, and Quakers in Pennsylvania, the middle colonies had a climate of tolerance.

FOR UNDERSTANDING

Due to trade _________ became the fastest growing city in the colonies. 1) Jamestown 2) Boston 3) Philadelphia 4) New York

At a ______, corn, wheat, rye, and other grains, were turned into flower or meal. 1) factory 2) warehouse 3) gristmill 4) silo

Many German immigrants were ______ who created ______that would later form the basis of the factory system. 1) artisans, cottages 2) artists, cottage industries 3) artisans, manufacturing centers. 4) artisans, cottage industries

The tolerant attitude of the Middle Colonies did not prevent about ______ of the population from being enslaved. 1) 40%. 2) 17% 3) 13%. 4) 7%

Germans built ______ to carry their produce to town. 1) trebuchets 2) chuckwagons 3) Conestoga wagons 4) carts

Because of the large number of ______ in New York, and ______ in Pennsylvania, the middle colonies had a climate of tolerance. 1) Dutch, Quakers 2) Dutch, Puritans 3) Germans, Quakers 4) Germans, Puritans

The ______ had a relatively tolerant attitude toward various European immigrants and religions. 1) Backcountry 2) New England Colonies 3) Southern Colonies 4) Middle Colonies

Middle Colony port towns during the 1700s attracted many ______ immigrants. 1) Polish 2) German 3) Chinese 4) Spanish