Colonial America: New England and Middle Colonies

New England Colonies

• New Hampshire: Founded for fishing and trade, known for its rugged terrain and maritime economy.
• Massachusetts: Established by Puritan settlers, played a key role in early American history, including the American Revolution.
• Rhode Island: Known for religious freedom, founded by dissenters from Massachusetts seeking separation of church and state.
• Connecticut: Adopted the Fundamental Orders in 1638, often considered the first written constitution in America.

Middle Colonies

• New York: Originally a Dutch colony (New Amsterdam), became a diverse cultural center after the English takeover.
• Pennsylvania: Founded by William Penn as a safe haven for Quakers, known for its religious tolerance and rich agricultural resources.
• New Jersey: Established from the division of New York, marked by its fertile lands and diverse population with both English and Dutch influences.
• Delaware: Originally part of Pennsylvania, it gained independence and was known for its early role in trade and commerce.

Southern Colonies

• Maryland: Founded as a refuge for Catholics, it had a plantation economy based on tobacco and relied heavily on indentured servants and African slaves.
• Virginia: Known for its tobacco plantations, it was the first permanent English settlement in America (Jamestown) in 1607 and played a significant role in colonial politics.
• North Carolina: Developed a mixed economy of agriculture and naval stores, separated from South Carolina in 1712 due to differing social and economic structures.
• South Carolina: Developed a plantation economy that became heavily reliant on slave labor, known for its rice and indigo production.
• Georgia: Founded as a buffer between South Carolina and Spanish-controlled Florida; initially intended for settlers from debtors' prisons in England.

Explore the history and significance of the New England and Middle Colonies in early America. Learn about the founding, economies, and cultural aspects of each colony, from fishing in New Hampshire to religious freedom in Rhode Island and diverse New York. Test your knowledge of these foundational regions of American history.