The Middle Colonies

1. The Middle Colonies Pages: 85-89 in Text and other sources

2. Brain Stretcher… • You are a farmer in Southern Germany in 1730. Religious wars have torn your country apart for several years and are making your life increasingly difficult. Now you hear of a better place in America were people of all religions are welcome. But the leaders of the colony- and many of its people- are English. You would not know their language or customs. Still, you would be free to live and worship as you like….. • Do you take the risk and move to America? How would you feel about moving into a country full of complete strangers?

3. Essential Questions • 1) What colonies composed of the “Middle Colonies” and how were each created? • 2) Describe the social, political, and economic characteristics of the Middle Colonies. • 3) How were the middle colonies similar and different than the New England/Southern Colonies?

4. The Dutch and New Netherland • The Dutch settled land just to the south of the New England Colonies. • 1613: The Dutch government granted the “Dutch West India Company” permission to colonize New Netherland as a trading post to exchange furs with the Iroquois. • The center/capital was New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. • The Dutch company profited from trade, but did not initially attract many settlers. • To encourage permanent settlers, they opened up to a variety of people: Dutch, Germans, French, Scandinavians, Jews, Puritans, and Africans (both free and enslaved)

5. The Dutch and New Netherland Relationship with Natives • Dutch enjoyed friendlier relations with the Native Americans • interested in trading, not conquering. • The first Dutch traders did not anger the powerful leaders of the organized Iroquois. • The did have a few conflicts with other Native American groups over land claims and trade rivalries.

6. New Netherland becomes New York • New Netherland was a wedge separating the English colonies in the North and the southern colonies to the south. • 1664: James, the Duke of York (King Charles II brother) was ordered to drive out the Dutch. • Peter Stuyvesant- was an unpopular governor of New Netherland. When the James arrived he raised a call to arms- but was ignored. • The Dutch surrendered without a shot. New Netherland became “New York” and New Amsterdam became “New York City”

7. New Jersey • The Duke of York gave a portion of the colony to Sir George Carteret and Lord John Berkeley. • They became the proprietors of New Jersey (named after the British Island of Jersey) • New Jersey had a diverse population of Dutch, Swedes, Finns, and Scots. • Also very dependent on fur trade through the end of the 1600’s.

8. William Penn and the Quakers • William Penn knew England was no place for Quakers to live. • Quakers believed: • God’s “inner light burned inside everyone” • Held services with no formal ministers • Any person could speak as the spirit moved him/her • Equality of men and women before God • Plain dress • Supported nonviolence and religious tolerance for all people

9. William Penn and the QuakersPersecuted in England • Persecuted in both England and America for their radical views • William Penn wanted a large colony under his control to serve as a safe haven for Quakers • 1681 King Charles II gave a charter for Penn to begin a colony west of New Jersey. • Pen viewed his colony as a “Holy Experiment” • No land owning Aristocracy • Guaranteed every adult male 50 acres of land and the right to vote • Limited his power as proprietor and created a representative assembly- reflecting the will of the people • Guaranteed freedom of religion

10. Pennsylvania Cont… • Named the capital Philadelphia- Meaning “City of Brotherly love”

11. Native American Relations • “Now I would have you well observe, that I am very sensible of the unkindness and injustice that has been too much exercised towards you by the people of these parts of the world, who have sought…to make great advantages by you,…sometimes to the shedding of blood…but I am not such a man…I have great love and regard toward you, and I desire to win and gain your love and friendship by a kind, just, and peaceful life.”

12. Native American Relations • Relationship with Natives: • Before setting foot in America, Penn wrote a letter to be read to the Delaware tribe that inhabited his settlement area. • The Delaware population had already been ravaged by European diseases and war. • Penn and the Quakers believed people approached in friendship would respond in friendship • To be sure his colonists treated the natives fairly, he regulated trade with them and provided a court composed of settlers and Native Americans • The Natives Americans respected Penn- for more than 50 years, no major conflict b/w Native Americans and Pennsylvania Settlers

13. Middle Colony Economics • Combination of characteristics of the New England and Southern colonies. • Good climate or rich soil resulted in Staple Crops: Crops that are always needed (Wheat, barley, and oats) • Farmers also raised livestock

14. Middle Colonies Economics…. • Slaves were somewhat important • Worked in cities as skilled laborers (blacksmiths and carpenters), on farms, ships, and in shipbuilding • Indentured servants were most widely used- between 1700-1775 135,000 came to the middle colonies- half of which moved to Pennsylvania • By 1760, Philadelphia was the largest British Colonial city

15. Economics…. • Trade was important to the middle colonies • Merchants in Philadelphia and New York exported goods to Britain and the West Indies (Grain, Rum, Lumber, Fish, and Furs) • Women were important • Ran farms, businesses (clothing , grocery stores, bakeries, and drug stores) • Some practiced medicine, worked as nurses, and midwives • Some colonial laws and customs limited opportunity

16. Colonial women • Most worked primarily in the home. • Married women managed the household and raised children- sometimes earning money by selling products such as butter or clothing • Others provided paid services- washing clothes.