Founding the Middle Colonies Settlement of the Middle Colonies began in New Netherland, later New York, when Dutch colonists began arriving in the middle 1600s. They were a diverse group, taking control of land and altering the flora and the fauna as they spread farther out. They were also changing the cultures they had brought with them from Europe, experimenting with greater religious freedom and more representative government than Europe had ever known.

The 13 Colonies A colony is a place that belongs to another country. Historians divide the 13 original colonies into the New England, Middle and Southern colonies. In Chapter 24, we learn about the Dutch colonization of the Middle Colonies.

What countries had colonies in North America? England France Spain Portugal Sweden

New England Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire

Middle Colonies New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware

Southern Colonies Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina,and Georgia

People from Holland are called Dutch. Dutch West India Company was: A business firm that owned much of the Dutch colonies. They were in charge of New Netherland later to be called New York.

Why did the Dutch want to colonize America? May have value in the future Fur trading European rivalry- one country did not want another to far ahead in possessions and power. Dutch decided India was more important Silk & spices