Colonial Regions:Geography influences colonial development

Essential Question: “To what extent does geography shape human development?”

RANT Quiz: Use your notes to answer the following questions. Each question is worth 5 points.

Which colonial region (New England, Middle or Southern):1) was Jamestown located?2) had the coldest climate and most rocky

terrain?3) had the longest growing season?4) included the future states of New

Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania?5) were colonists more likely to die of

mosquito-borne diseases like malaria?

Three Colonial RegionsNew England Colonies

Middle Colonies

Southern Colonies

Rhode Island

New Hampshire

ConnecticutMassachusetts

Delaware

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Virginia North Carolina

Maryland

South Carolina

Georgia

New England ColoniesGeographic Features:

Hilly and mountainous terrainSmall coastal plains with rocky soilHeavily forestedShallow and quick flowing riversVery good harbors and fisheries

Impact:Cities built on harbors became center of

societyAgriculture was mainly “subsistance”

farms

Middle ColoniesGeographic Features:

Wider coastal plains with sandy soilPine and Deciduous forests (less dense)Mountainous terrain evident in the WestDeeper, slower flowing riversGood inland harbors

Impact:Known as the “Bread Basket” colonies.Early industry because of mineral wealth in

mountains.Have both big cities and larger farms

Southern ColoniesGeographic Features:

Large, fertile, and wide coastal plainsDeep and navigable rivers extend inlandMild winters, Hot summers

Impact:Plantation System to grow cash crops Cities did not develop wellClimate was not healthy (Mosquito-borne

diseases)

What were they growing?Brown Gold!

Tobacco was the first incredibly profitable crop.

By the late 1620s, colonists were exporting 1.5 million pounds per year.

Other cash crops included cotton, rice, sugar and indigo.

Evolution of Slavery in the Southern Colonies

The size and style of agriculture in the South required a large number of laborers. Southern plantation owners needed to find a large number of workers cheaply. They first turned to:1) Indentured Servants – European workers/farmers who agreed to work for a number of years as payment for passage to colonies.Supported by the Headright System.1676 Bacon’s Rebellion changed labor relations

Evolution of Slavery in the Southern Colonies

2) Native American Slavery – Planters began to capture and trade for Native Americans slaves.

Problems with Native American slaves:- unfamiliar with European farming- died of European diseases easily- easily ran away and would stay away

Evolution of Slavery in the Southern Colonies

3) African Slavery – Africans captured and transported from West Africa to work on plantations.African slavery slow to develop (at first):

1619 – First slaves arrive in Virginia on Dutch ship

1670 –Only 2,000 slaves in Virginia1685 – Africans outnumber white servants (????)1750 – ½ population of Virginia is African

Africans outnumber whites in S.C (2:1)Why African Slaves?