Colonial Differences

Colonial Differences

Iain McMichael

New England

Consisting of the original 4 colonies; New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. These colonies existed for the sole purpose of supporting and promoting Puritan thought and beliefs, and for religious freedom. The climate was rather cold, as New England was far more North than other colonies, which harmed many during the harsh winters, but slowed and stopped the spread of many life threatening diseases. This area was a prominent gathering place for trade as fish, whales, trees, and fur were in abundance. These things were important as New England's rocky soil and harsh winter weather did not give way for much agriculture. The selling of slaves to Southern colonies was also a very large source of income and trade. Quakers soon moved into the area, who believed that neither the Bible nor prayer was essential to worship God, completely opposite of what the Puritans believed, causing social unrest in the Northern colonies. The political structure was dominated by Puritans and later by the Massachusetts Bay Company stockholders, later known as freemen. The freemen created what was known as the general court, which made laws and governed the company. The freemen grew rapidly, though only free, godly white men could join the freemen.

Middle Colonies

The middle colonies consisted of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delware. The first settlers of the middle colonies were dutch men aiming to make money, and settled at the mouth of the Hudson River. Pennsylvania quickly became the gathering place for Quakers who sough religious freedom. Fertile land promoted the growth of cash crops such as fruit and tobacco, and an abundance of rivers allowed for easy export of these goods. The area was far more ethnically diverse than other regions, and fostered the best Native American relations. The temperate climate of warm summers and cool winters fully supported the growth and export of various crops.

Southern Colonies

Consisting of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The hot summers and mild winters promoted the longest growing season of any other colonial region, but also fostered the spread of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Most settlers in this region were Anglican, either Baptist or Presbyterian. The economy was extremely reliant upon farming and agriculture. Rice, indigo, tobacco, sugar cane, and cotton were the largest of exports, raised by slaves and indentured servants. South Carolina become the largest hub for the slave trade in the colonies. The Southern colonies also founded the first example of representative government in America, the House of Burgesses, founded in 1619.