Geography and Economy of New England Colonies

New England Colonies

• Characterized by bitterly cold winters and mild summers, impacting lifestyle and agriculture.
• Coastal areas were flat, transitioning to hilly and mountainous inland regions; predominantly rocky soil affected farming.
• Cold winters helped limit the spread of diseases among colonists.
• Economy relied significantly on maritime activities, with fishing (especially codfish) as the mainstay.
• Other economic activities included whaling, trapping, shipbuilding, and logging.
• Engaged in the "triangular trade," where shippers bought slaves from West Africa with rum, then sold them in the West Indies for molasses.

Middle Colonies

• Found in the Mid-Atlantic region, featuring a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters.
• Geography included coastal plains, rolling piedmont hills, and mountainous regions inland, providing excellent shipping harbors.
• Known as the "breadbasket" due to prolific grain production, including barley, wheat, oats, and rye.
• Diverse economy was predominantly agricultural but included logging, shipbuilding, textile production, and papermaking.
• Major cities like Philadelphia and New York served as vital shipping hubs, with skilled craftsmen bolstering local economies.

Southern Colonies

• Warm climate with hot summers and mild winters, favorable for agriculture.
• Geography transitioned from coastal plains to piedmont and mountainous areas in the west, with rich soil ideal for farming.
• A longer growing season compared to other regions enhanced agricultural productivity.
• Economy heavily centered on agriculture, with cash crops such as rice, indigo, tobacco, sugarcane, and cotton.
• Large plantations relied on slave and indentured servant labor, leading to Charleston, South Carolina becoming a key center in the American slave trade during the 1700s.