Chapter 3, Section 3 The Middle Colonies

New York and New Jersey New Netherland was founded in 1613 as a trading post with the Iroquois –Town of New Amsterdam on the island of Manhattan was the center General land grants and religious toleration brought Jews, French Huguenots, Puritans, and others to the colony Peter Stuyvesant led the colony beginning in 1647

New York and New Jersey New Amsterdam was captured by the English in 1664 and renamed New York –New Amsterdam was renamed New York City Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley were made proprietors of New Jersey by the Duke of York –This colony occupied lands between the Hudson and Delaware Rivers Diverse population: Dutch, Swedes, Finns, and Scots Fur trade was very important to the colonies of New York and New Jersey

Penn’s Colony Quakers –Also called Society of Friends, made up one of the largest religious groups in New Jersey –Did not follow formal religious practices –Dressed plainly –Believed men and women were equal before God –Supported nonviolence and religious toleration –Their beliefs were “shocking” and they were persecuted in Europe and America

Penn’s Colony William Penn –Proprietor of the New Jersey colony and a Quaker –Wanted to create a larger colony under his own control as a refuge for Quakers –1681, King Charles II granted William Penn a charter to begin a colony west of New Jersey and Pennsylvania was born

Penn’s Colony Pennsylvania –Grew rapidly –Penn limited his own power and created an elected assembly –Promised religious freedom to all Christians –Made Pennsylvania an important example of representative self-government A government that reflects the will of the people –Penn named the capital “Philadelphia” which means “city of brotherly love”

The Economy of the Middle Colonies Combined characteristics of the New England colonies and the Southern Colonies Good climate and rich soil allowed farmers to grow staple crops –Crops that are always needed –Included wheat, barley, oats –Also raised livestock

The Economy of the Middle Colonies Slaves were somewhat more important in the middle colonies than in the New England colonies. –Worked in cities as skilled laborers –Worked on farms –Most labor needs were filled by indentured servants , about 135,000 indentured servants came to the middle colonies

The Economy of the Middle Colonies Trade –Colonial goods exported to markets in Britain and the West Indies Women –Important to the economy of the Middle Colonies Ran farms and businesses Practiced medicine –Colonial laws limited their economic opportunities –Most worked in the home