1. Colonial Regions
How the colonies developed economically, socially, culturally, and regionally

2. Before reading…READ THIS
The last of the 13 colonies was not established until However, we have not finished discussing the colonies in the 17th century (e.g. the 1600s).
As you view this keep in mind a few things:
Slaves don’t arrive in America until the early 1700s
That many of the economies did not fully develop until the 1700s
This information will help reinforce what you have learned and will prepare you for what we will discuss next week.

3. Regional Patterns
The vast majority of people in the 13 colonies were farmers
Colonies lacked industries
By mid-1700s, colonies developed regional distinctions
Variations in geography, climate, and demographics explain differences
New England (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine)
Cold winters, short growing season = no crops for sale
Raised livestock and grew wheat, rye, and potatoes for food
Shipped lumber and fish; Boston was the principal seaport
Few African Americans
Middle Class settlers
Cleaner healthier environment  longer life span and rapid population growth
Schools, better education, and more economic equality

4. Regional Patterns
Middle Colonies (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware)
Temperate climate; better farmland for wheat (major export)  strong economy in 1700’s in MC, not in NE
NY and Philadelphia were the largest seaports
Few African Americans
European Settlers  most ethnically and culturally diverse region
Southern colonies (Maryland, Virginia, Carolinas, and Georgia)
Warmer climate, longer growing season  profitable farming of “cash crops”
Chesapeake colonies, VA and MD, harvested tobacco
Carolinas and Georgia  lumber, rice, and indigo (and later “king cotton”)
African Americans made up majority of population
Most settlers were poor white men
Difficult to sustain schools and churches (dispersion); severe economic inequality

5. Map of the 13 colonies