The Middle Colonies

1. The Middle Colonies

2. Geography of the Middle Colonies • New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are a part of the Middle Colonies • Warmer, longer growing season than NE • Fertile soil for crops like wheat, fruits, and vegetables

3. New York • Originally belonged to the Dutch (New Amsterdam) • Farmers in the Hudson valley were prosperous under the patroon system • In 1664 the English took the colony away from the Dutch

4. New Jersey • Originally part of NY • New Jersey started as a proprietary colony – a land grant to an individual or family • Along with New York, New Jersey becomes a royal colony – a colony directly controlled by the English king

5. The Quakers • The Quakers were a new religious group in England • Quakers had a fundamental belief that all people are equal • Because of their views, they were persecuted in England George Fox – Founder of the Quakers

6. William Penn • William Penn was a wealthy man who wanted to find a place where Quakers could be safe • He obtained a charter and created Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania thrives because Quakers believe in religious tolerance • He created pamphlets to attract people to the colony William Penn

7. Delaware • People from Sweden were the first European settlers in Delaware • Then it belonged to the Dutch and finally the English • Delaware was originally a part of Pennsylvania, but became a separate colony in 1704

8. The “Breadbasket” of the Colonies • The Middle colonies (especially Pennsylvania) produced so much wheat, they earned the nickname “Breadbasket” • Many colonists were shoemakers, carpenters, masons, weavers, and coopers Wheat

9. Diverse and Thriving Colonies • The Backcountry in Pennsylvania was settled by mostly Germans and eventually led to southern trade routes • Large numbers of immigrants to the Middle colonies caused diversity and prosperity in large cities