Middle Colonies Who settled in the Middle Colonies

Middle Colonies Who settled in the Middle Colonies? • English, Dutch, and German speaking immigrants seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity

New York • Founded by the Dutch in 1624 • The Duke of York was granted a land charter and captured the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam • Grew wealthy from being a trading area • English took it over in 1664 due to the threat of the Dutch becoming an economic threat

New Jersey • Founded in 1664 by John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret • Dutch West India Company- Joint Stock Company • These men offered religious freedom and large land grants • Quakers will buy parts of New Jersey Q: What is a Quaker?

Quakers • Society of Friends in the New World • Faced persecution in England New England for their religious beliefs • Strongly emphasized a personal relationship with God • Believed that God communicated directly with an individual through the "Light Within" or "inner light“ • Informal services, no ordained clergy, women allowed to participate in religious services

Pennsylvania • Founded in 1681 by a Quaker named William Penn • Experiment in religious freedom/equality and protection for Quakers • He created Philadelphia as a “city of brotherly love” • Philadelphia was the fast growing city due to its shipbuilding industry

Delaware • Purchased by William Penn • Had been previously settled by the Dutch and Swedes until the English purchased it • Penn allowed them to elect their own assembly

Economic Characteristics • Middle colonies developed an economy based on shipbuilding, farming, and trading • Cash Crops= Grain • Middle Colonies also known as the “breadbasket” colonies • New York City and Philadelphia grew as seaports/commercial centers

Social Characteristics • Middle colonies were home to many religious groups who believed in RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE o Quakers (PA); Huguenots and Jews (NY); Presbyterians (NJ) o Colonies had more flexible social structure o Developed a middle class of small farmers, business owners, and skilled artisans o Did not depend on a large slave population o Had government based on democratic principals Germans o Largest ethnic group in the region o Originally came as indentured servants o Families settled on inexpensive farmland in western Pennsylvania

Political Characteristics • Middle colonies incorporated many democratic principles to reflect basic rights of Englishmen Education • Not universal but widespread

Southern and Middle Colonies Venn Diagram Part I • Find a partner to work with • Draw a Venn Diagram (Refer to the board) • Go over your notes/textbook on the Southern and Middle Colonies and complete the Venn Diagram using as much information that you can Part II • Find another pair to work with and compare your Venn Diagram • Add to your diagram if you find something new