Colonial America Geography and Economy Overview
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Questions and Answers

The New England Colonies included Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and ______.

New Hampshire

The geography of the Middle Colonies featured a warmer climate with fertile soil, flat land, and easily-navigable ______.

rivers

Many colonists known as 'yeoman farmers' in New England had small family-owned farms that grew a variety of ______.

crops

The Southern Colonies included the first English colony of Virginia and grew to include ______, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

<p>Maryland</p> Signup and view all the answers

The people of the Middle Colonies supported religious freedom and had a ______ population with settlers arriving from many areas in Europe.

<p>diverse</p> Signup and view all the answers

The geography included rich, fertile soil with broad coastal plains that made it possible for large plantations to grow ______, rice, and indigo.

<p>tobacco</p> Signup and view all the answers

The majority of these plantations featured a labor force of enslaved ______ people.

<p>Black</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many enslaved children were put to work as young as age ______.

<p>three</p> Signup and view all the answers

Indentured servants would work for ______ to ______ years in exchange for their passage to North America.

<p>5-7</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ of England was the dominant religion in the Southern Colonies.

<p>Church</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Natural Environment

  • Geography and location significantly impacted the development of North American colonies.
  • Factors such as soil type, climate, seasons, and proximity to water bodies determined prosperity.

Colonial Regions Overview

  • By the 1700s, American colonies divided into three regions: New England, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies.
  • Each region had distinct geographical and cultural characteristics influencing economy and society.

New England Colonies

  • Included Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
  • Characterized by dense forests, hills, rocky land, cold climate, and long winters.
  • Poor conditions for large-scale farming; however, small family farms (yeoman farmers) thrived.
  • Major economic activities included fishing and whaling; craftsmanship and trade also developed.
  • Settlers primarily Puritans who valued community, hard work, and religious devotion.

Middle Colonies

  • Comprised Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and New Jersey.
  • Featured warmer climate, fertile soil, flat terrain, navigable rivers, and wide valleys.
  • Ideal for farming; wealthy farmers produced cash crops and raised livestock.
  • Economy bolstered by mining and trade, leading to urban growth and vibrant merchant activity.
  • Noted for supporting religious freedom and tolerance; population was diverse due to European immigration.

Southern Colonies

  • Originated with Virginia, expanding to include Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
  • Geography included rich, fertile soil and broad coastal plains suitable for large plantations.
  • Primary crops: tobacco, rice, and indigo; reliance on enslaved labor for plantation operations.
  • Enslaved individuals had minimal rights; families were often separated by plantation owners.
  • Subsistence farmers also present, focusing on crops for personal use with little surplus to sell.
  • Indentured servants worked in exchange for passage to North America, typically contracted for 5-7 years.
  • Dominant religion was the Anglican Church, with settlers generally not migrating for religious freedom.

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Description

Explore the significant factors influencing the development of the North American colonies with a focus on geography, climate, and culture. This quiz covers the distinct characteristics of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies established by the 1700s, including their economies and social structures.

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