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includes New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
The middle colonies included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
The southern colonies include Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
The natural environment dictated
the future of the colony by
shaping its economic specialty, determining its viability,
and influencing its ideology.
The population of each colony determined its fate. Religion, motives, hierarchy, and the status of slavery were all important factors in the developing each region.
The specialization of colonial economies played a huge role in their development. Economic stratification shaped society and culture, while differences between regions shaped their ideologies.
Status of Slavery and Economic Ideology
Because slavery was used at an industrial capacity, and for domestic work, slaves often worked alongside Irish or German immigrants.
The North was populated by Puritans, who were against religious tolerance. Therefore, political power was only given to members of the church, and dissenters often fled and formed their own colonies.
The north was populated by Puritans, whose goal was to establish a religious society for themselves. The government was based in religion, and other faiths were not tolerated.
Therefore, slaves in the North were integrated into European culture, and had much more freedom than in the rural South
This led to dissenters creating their own colonies,
as well as new laws to allow more people to participate in government, such as the
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.
Later generations became less religious, and so the colony became less theocratic. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was passed, in order to give more men the right to vote.
Economic Specialization leads to a certain way of life. With the north's manufacturing and trade, slavery was not needed as much, and most slaves were skilled workers.
Because slavery was not as institutionalized as in the South, more black people were free, and owned land. Therefore, their economics were not dependent on slave labor.
Harsh winters in the North led to starving winters, where many died and food was scarce.
Because farming was not possible due to the soil and climate, fishing and trade were more common occupations.
Because the climate and soil was not suitable for farming, most families participated in subsistence farming. In order for the colony to survive tough winters, every capable person was expected to contribute.
Such difficulty often defined the colonists' relationships with the natives, because they provided help and allied with the colonists. However, such terrible conditions often created an environment of fear, such as during the Salem Witch Trials.
Therefore, slavery was not nearly as crucial to the economy as it was in the South. Agricultural products were imported from the South.
Because the main economic activity was manufacturing and trade, the women often farmed at home. Furthermore, slaves were often domestic servants, rather than laborers, and the economic system did not become dependent on slave labor.
The Dutch intended for the middle colonies to
be a trade outpost for fur trading.
This region was populated by Quakers, and Protestants, and Jewish people. The Quakers preached of tolerance and pacifism, so they allowed other faiths.
Varieties of people came to the city, including German settlers, Dutch traders, natives, and religious dissenters.
Colonies such as New York became diverse centers, and havens for religious dissenters.
Economic Stratification
Influence on Ideology
Farming and hunting became a specialty for the middle colonies. Easy transport meant that exporting their product to other regions was common.
Because the middle colonies had craftsmen and traders, there was a middle class, rather than just the elite.
New York was a trading outpost, so a variety of people came to the city, bringing their ideas and way of life.
Therefore, colonies such as New York were split into patroons for colonists to develop and use.
This led a more representative government, where more people had a say in the government, such in Pennsylvania
The region therefore became a haven for religious dissenters from the North. The religious tolerance from the beliefs of the Quakers as well as the diversity contributed to this development.
Economic Stratification
Because the South's economy was rooted in plantations, cities were not developed as much, and people lived far apart from one another. Women were relatively isolated from the world outside their home.
The wealthy elite in the South controlled the government. There was no middle class, and the lower class consisted of tenant farmers and laborers. At the bottom, were slaves.
Determination of Viability
Influence on Ideology
Effect of Religion on Ideology
Women tended to manage parts of the plantation, and handle the slaves. Women had to serve as medics for themselves and their children, so their knowledge of medicine grew.
Therefore, slaves were treated much
more harshly in the South, and
rebellions occurred more often.
The geography of the region determined the viability of the colony, such as in Roanoke, where the colony did not survive. Furthermore, other colonies, such as Jamestown often faced hardships, such as the starving times, in part due to unfavorable geography.
Due ideal conditions for farming cash crops, such as tobacco and cotton, plantation culture developed. Wealthy elites controlled the regional government, and small farmer usually were tenants.
The colonists in the South moved to the Americas to make money for investors and become rich in the process.
People were mostly Catholic or Anglican, but this had little to do with their politics.
Thus, the government and economic system was centered around profit making and plantations.
Slaves were treated much more harshly in the rural south due to the legislative power of the elites. The economy relied on slavery and the power of the wealthy.
This led to the cultivation of cash crops, such as tobacco in the regions. Foodstuffs did not flourish, so cash crops made it possible to import food from the middle colonies and abroad.
Slaves became forbidden to convert to Christianity, because then Catholic slave owners would have to free them.