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.