(below) A late 18th-century view of Philadelphia.In what other respects did Philadelphia grow in the 1700s?

Productive Farms The Middle Colonies enjoyed a longer growing season than New England and a soil rich enough to grow cash crops. These were crops raised to be sold for money. Common cash crops included fruits, veg-etables, and, above all, grain. In fact, the Middle Colonies produced so much grain that people began calling them the “breadbasket” colonies.

Growing Cities The excellent harbors of the Middle Colonies were ideal sites for cities. New York City grew at the mouth of the Hudson River, and PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia was founded on the Delaware River. The merchants who lived in these growing port cities exported grain and other cash crops from local farms and imported manufactured goods from England.

Because of its enormous trade, Philadelphia became the fastest growing city in the colonies. By the 1750s, it was home to a dozen large shipyards—places where ships are built or repaired.

The city’s wealth also brought many public improvements. Large and beautiful buildings, such as Philadelphia’s statehouse—which was later renamed Independence Hall—graced the city’s streets. In 1748, a Swedish visitor was impressed by the city’s beauty and wealth.

PRIMARY SOURCE

“And yet . . . its natural advantages, trade, riches, and power are by no

means inferior to . . . any, even of the most ancient, towns in Europe.”—Peter Kalm, quoted in America at 1750

New York could also thank trade for its rapid growth. This bustling port handled flour, bread, furs, and whale oil. At midcentury, an English naval officer admired the city’s elegant buildings and paved streets. “Such is this city,” he said, “that very few in England can rival it in its show.”

MAIN IDEAS & DETAILS Explain why the cities of the Middle Colonies grew.

112 Chapter 4

Answer: The harbors of the region made excellent ports; the fertile countryside produced good crops that were exported through the cities; immigrants were attracted by the region’s tolerance.

Answer: The city grew in size and wealth.

112 • Chapter 4

DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 4 • SECTION 3

More About . . .

Philadelphia and Benjamin Franklin

William Penn called the capital of his new colony Philadelphia, a Greek word meaning “brotherly love.” The city benefited from the numerous contributions of its most famous citizen, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin founded a subscription library, a fire company, a hospital, a militia, and a philosophical society. He was also instrumental in the founding of the University of Pennsylvania.

More About . . .

New York City and Philadelphia

In the mid-1700s, New York City and Philadelphia rivaled the fine cities of Europe. After Liverpool and London, Philadelphia was the third-largest trade city in the British Empire. Today New York is the larger, more prominent city of the two. In the mid-1700s, however, Philadelphia was the premier city. Both were conveniently located on rivers, which helped them grow quickly. Philadelphia’s population of about 10,000 in 1699 grew to around 23,700 by 1750. New York’s population doubled to 18,000 in the 1740s alone. At one time, each city served as the capital of the United States.

Unit 2 Resource Book• Connect Geography & History,

pp. 111–112

English Learners

Comprehension: Connection

Read aloud the descriptions of the growth of Philadelphia and New York City. Rephrase idiomatic or unusual language in the descriptions, such as “it was home to,” “graced the city’s streets,” and “New York could also thank trade.” Also, to make the quote by Peter Kalm easier to understand, substitute “not” for “by no means” and omit “even of the most ancient.”

Struggling Readers

Locate Supporting Details

Guide students in finding details that support the main idea of the section entitled “A Prosperous Region.” Have them answer these questions: Why were Middle Colony farms productive? Why did Middle Colony cities grow quickly? Have students list details in the Main Idea and Details graphic organizer they started at the beginning of the section.

The Colonies Develop 113

40°N

75°W

70°W

AT L A N T I CO C E A N

Hudson

River

Delaw

areR

iverSusquehannaRiver

AP

PA

LA

CH

IA

NM

OU

NT

AI

NS

Lak e On t a r i o

NEW YORK

Cla imed byN.Y. & N.H.

NEW JERSEY

PENNSYLVANIA

DELAWARE

Philadelphia

New York

N

S

E

W

0 50

0 50 100 kilometers

100 miles

Major Exports

Furs and skins

Cattle and grain

Tobacco

Iron

Ships

Timber

African Americans in the CitiesKEY QUESTION How did African Americans help build the cities?

Unlike the economy that developed in the South, the economy of the MiddleColonies did not depend on a large slave population. In 1750, only about7 percent of the Middle Colonies’ population was enslaved. Most of theseenslaved people lived in the cities.

Racial Tension in New York City New York City had a larger number ofpeople of African descent than any other Northern city. Its African Americanpopulation was divided between the enslaved and the free.

The slave trade was an important part of the city’s economy. Many Africanswere brought to New York City in order to serve wealthy families. Enslavedpeople worked as manual laborers, servants, drivers, and as assistants toartisansartisans, or craftspeople. Before New York came under English control,enslaved Africans had built roads, houses, and public buildings—the veryfoundations of the colony.

A free black community developed in New York City as early as 1644. FreeAfrican-American men and women worked as laborers, servants, and sailors.For a time free blacks had the right to own property.

Middle Colonies 1750

Independence Hall,Philadelphia

Connect Geography History1. Place What are the three major rivers in the Middle Colonies?

2. Make Inferences Why might the Middle Colonies’ rivers beimportant for farmers?

Teacher’s Edition • 113

CHAPTER 4 • SECTION 3

Teach African Americans in the Cities

Reader, Recorder, Reporter• What role did Africans play in building New

York? (They built roads, houses, and public buildings.)

• Describe the African population in New York in the 1600–1700s. (Possible Answers: part slave and part free; both free and enslaved might work as laborers and servants; other enslaved people worked as drivers and artisans’ assistants; free blacks could own property for a time)

• Main Ideas and Details What happened as a result of both free and enslaved living such harsh lives in New York City? (It led to racial tension and a slave revolt.)INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES

CONNECT to Math

Enslaved Populations Pie Charts

Have students make two pie charts: one showing the population of enslaved people and free people in the Middle Colonies and the other showing the same statistics for the Southern colonies. Students should base their charts on the following figures from 1750: In the Middle Colonies, 7 percent of the population was enslaved; in the Southern colonies, about 40 percent of the population was enslaved.

CONNECT to World Languages

Roots of American English

Explain that English settlers borrowed words from Native Americans and from those who came to America from other places, including Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Germany. The words boss and waffle come from Dutch, and banjoand gumbo are derived from African languages. Have students use dictionaries to create a glossary of at least 20 English words that have their roots in other languages. Glossary entries should include pronunciation, part of speech, definition, and country of origin.

Middle Colonies 1750

Connect Geography History

CONTRAST Ask students to contrast the river systems in the Middle Colonies with those in the New England Colonies. (The Middle Colonies had more major river systems than New England.)

ANSWERS

1. Place the Susquehanna, the Delaware, and the Hudson

2. Make Inferences They provide plenty of water to grow crops as well as a way to transport goods.

Unit 2 Resource Book• Skillbuilder Practice, p. 105• Economics in History, p. 106