The Middle Colonies

MIDDLE COLONIES

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware

Setting Mild climates for crops Rivers and ocean for trading Lots of diversity: ethnically and

religiously Mostly a tolerant society

The Middle Colonies

New York Originally settled by the Dutch and called

New Netherland; largest town was New Amsterdam

Gave large land grants; slaves are owned Because New Netherland separated New

England from the South, it was a threat The English were going to attack but the

colony surrenders; renamed New York

Other Colonies New Jersey: Duke of York gave land to

start it; offered religious freedom and land to get settlers

Delaware: Land was given to William Penn in what is now called Delaware—named for an Indian tribe

Pennsylvania means Penn’s Woods: also founded by William Penn as a haven for Quakers; religious freedom for all; good land for crops; many poor peasants became rich; promised to treat natives well

William Penn

Farming and Cities Cash crops: fruits, vegetables,

grain (called the breadbasket colonies)

New York grew on Hudson River Philadelphia grew on Delaware

River; fastest growing city; built beautiful buildings

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Diversity Germans became a

large group in Pennsylvania; started as indentured servants Brought lots of

farming techniques Lots of art

techniques—like gun-making

Built Conestoga wagons

Pennsylvania Long Rifle

Rifle Close Up

Conestoga Wagon

Slavery In 1750, only 7% of population was

slaves and most lived in cities Worked as manual laborers, servants,

drivers, assistants to artisans Free blacks were in New York City and

could own property—worked at jobs mentioned above

Some whites condemned slavery (like Quakers). An antislavery push started in the early 1700s.