The Middle Colonies Chesapeake Bay Region The Chesapeake

The Middle Colonies

Chesapeake Bay Region The Chesapeake Bay area was first settled by the Virginia company in 1607

Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore wanted to make a profit and create a safe place for Catholics to live

Maryland’s assembly passed the Toleration act of 1649 guaranteeing religious freedom to all Christians

Tobacco Virginia and Maryland prospered growing Tobacco Land owners were constantly looking for more land more labor to work in the fields This would cause a higher demand for slave labor

New York Settled by the Dutch in 1624 as a fur trading post New York was taken from the Dutch by the English in 1664 New York would be a very valuable port and a very important colony to the crown

New Jersey and Delaware Both New Jersey and Delaware were originally settled by the Dutch and would become territories of England

Pennsylvania Founded by William Penn as a home for Quakers Pennsylvania would prosper due to fertile land, good relations with Native American tribes, and a stable representative government

Middle Colonies prospered with an economy based on smaller farms and sea trade Middle Colonies tended to be more progressive, liberal, and diverse

Power Struggles During the English Civil War 1642 -1651 the crown paid very little attention to the colonies Dominion of New England: Massachusetts placed firmly under royal control 1686 -1691

Synthesis Northern Colonies Economy Culture Middle Colonies Southern Colonies