unit 4 The Middle Colonies Flashcards
Identify the Middle Colonies.
New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Describe the geography of the Middle Colonies, and explain how that affected their settlement.
There was rich soil, many rivers, and a fairly long growing season. The Middle Colonies had towns (similar to New England) and (large farms similar to the southern colonies).
Describe the economy of the Middle Colonies.
Farmers grew wheat, fruit, and vegetables. They were called the Breadbasket Colonies.
Why were the Middle Colonies diverse?
In addition to England, people from Holland, Sweden, and Germany also settled in the colonies.
How did diversity affect the Middle Colonies?
They learned to be tolerant and respectful of other cultures
Describe the colony of New York.
it was originally settled by the Dutch as New Netherland, then later became a royal colony of England. Dutch culture remained.
Describe the colony of New Jersey.
It had been part of New York, but eventually became a colony of its own, with a royal governor to enforce the king’s will.
Describe the colony of Delaware.
It was first settled by Sweden, but was soon taken over by the Dutch and then the English. Remnants of all three cultures remained.
Who started the colony of Pennsylvania, and why?
William Penn, a friend of the king. He wanted to create a refuge for fellow Quakers
Who were the Quakers?
Also called the “Society of Friends”, they were a non-violent religious group that was unpopular in England.
What was unusual about the Quakers?
They believed in the absolute equality of all humans, and spoke out against slavery
Describe the city of Philadelphia.
It was a diverse city that included Quakers and immigrants from Germany, Scotland, and Ireland. It was a busy port and a busy iron industry.
