Developing Colonies

1. Developing Colonies

2. Example # 1- The Magna Carta: The reason that this is the most important topic for Medieval Europe is because it contributed to the rise of democratic thought and representative government. In 1215, King John of England signed the document giving certain rights to nobles such as, habeas corpus, which is the right to not be imprisoned unlawfully. It limited the power of the monarch, set up independent courts of law and gave nobles rights they did not previously have. For the first time in England’s history, nobles were guaranteed a trial by jury. The implications of this document helped lay the foundation for the US Constitution (47).

3. New England Colonies Current States: Massachusetts (including Maine and New Hampshire), Connecticut, Rhode Island Population: Pilgrims, Puritans, Roger Williams, John Winthrop, Blackbeard, mostly English People in this region lived by “The New England Way.” This describes both their beliefs and society, which emphasized duty, godliness, hard work, and honesty. Slavery is not popular in this region due to the long harsh winters. Many families that did own slaves hired them out to work on the docks or in workshops. Economy/Resources: Subsistence farming- families produce enough for themselves and possibly to trade some in town. Poor soil quality = need to find other valuable resources. Fishing/whaling and forestry become thriving industries for the region.

4. Shipbuilding also becomes an important industry. Because of the location and access to safe harbors New England also becomes the center of trade in the colonies. Triangular trade refers to the transfer of goods between the Americas and Africa. This represents 1 of the 3 forms of trade popular in the New England region (other forms = trade within the colonies and trade with Europe). To ensure that England earns profits from colonies Navigation Acts are passed in 1651. Smuggling becomes popular. Climate/Geography: North Atlantic coast from the east moving west towards the Appalachian Mountains. Long hard winters and rocky soil poor for farming. Growing season is typically only 5 months which makes it hard for settlers to make a living on farming.

5. Middle Colonies Current States: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Population: Swedes, Dutch, English, Germans and Africans. Protestants, Catholics, Quakers, and Jews. Because of the diversity in the region a climate of tolerance. Different cultures mix together bringing traditions and ways of life with them. The Duke of York, William Penn Economy/Resources: Colonists with advanced knowledge of agriculture methods made growing cash crops profitable. Common cash crops = fruits, vegetables and grains. Region was known as the “breadbasket” of the colonies. Gristmills became crucial to this region. Human or animal power fueled mills as did rivers.

6. Cities are ideal for trade. Waterways and harbors make it easy for cities to prosper. New York grows during this time period. However, Philadelphia is the fastest growing city in the colonies. Climate/Geography: Spanned the Mid-Atlantic region of America and were temperate in climate with warm summers and cold winters. Geography ranged from coastal plains along the coastline, piedmont (rolling hills) in the middle, and mountains farther inland. This area had good coastal harbors for shipping. Climate and land were ideal for agriculture. Boast shorter winters and longer growing seasons than the New England colonies. Better soil allows region to grow cash crops.

7. Southern Colonies Current States: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia Population: Scots-Irish, English, Catholics (Maryland), Huguenots, French Protestants, debtors, military, James Oglethrope, planter class and slaves. Eliza Lucas introduces indigo to the region as a cash crops when she was 17. William Byrd II was an important member of the planter class and a member of the House of Burgesses. He is remembered for his writing which details daily life in the Southern Colonies. Economy/Resources: Rich soil, indigo, tobacco, rice. The economy was based on cash crops and families were self-sufficient (unlike the New England colonies) so big cities were uncommon. Charles Town- aka- Charleston was an exception because of the need for ports.

8. Slavery is a must in this region. Because cash crops depend on hard work the planter class turns to African slaves as a form of cheap labor. Not all families can afford to house and feed slaves so the difference between the wealthy and poor is easily defined. Some slave owners are kind while others treat their slaves extremely harsh. Slaves did rebel in different ways. Some worked more slowly, others broke tools or did things wrong on purpose. The Stono Rebellion was a more direct form of resistance. 20 slaves gathered and killed several planter families. While marching towards Florida more slaves joined them. Eventually all the slaves involved were caught and captured. This led to stricter slave codes in the south. Climate/Geography: The Southern regions boasts the warmest climate of all the colonies. They have the longest growing season and the best soil. Most of the region had broad costal plains or were hilly and covered with forests. The coast = good fishing.

9. Backcountry Current States: The backcountry spans the eastern base of the Appalachian Mountains. Mountains stretch from Canada to Alabama. Population: Settlers who no longer waned to deal with the class system of the South. Many Scots-Irish also settled here and brought the clan system with them. These people are much more rugged. Clans are made up of large family groups and often share a common ancestor. They are suspicious of outsiders and stick close together which helps to protect families from conflict with Native Americans, French and Spanish in the region. Backcountry life was rough but they did find ways to stay entertained themselves. Women, children and the elderly acted as scarecrows. They snacked on popcorn and the Scots-Irish brought many games to the area that are still popular today (hammer throw, shot put, high jump and long jump)

10. Economy/Resources: Varied depending on the latitude of the region. Made a living by trading with Native Americans. Deer skin were a valuable unit of trade. A unit of value was a buckskin, hence the “buck” as we know it. Families survived on hogs and cattle they raised and fish and game they killed. Corn is a common crop grown in this region. Homes are made from the wood that they had access to (log cabins). Mud, moss and clay are used to fill gaps and paper smeared with animal fat is used to cover windows. Climate/Geography: This was a region of dense forests and rushing streams in or near the Appalachian Mountains. In the South, the Backcountry began at the fall line. The fall line is where waterfalls prevent large boats from moving farther upriver. Beyond the fall line is the piedmont. Piedmont means “foot of the mountains.” It is the broad plateau that leads to the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian range.