Introduction

1. Introduction • England’s Thirteen Colonies were located on the Atlantic Coast in-between French Canada and Spanish Florida. • The Thirteen Colonies can be divided into three regions. Each region was unique and gave the English a wide variety of opportunities and “personalities.”

2. New England The Middle Colonies The South

3. New England The Middle Colonies The South 13 Colonies Map

4. Climate, Resources & People • Long winters & rocky soils • Fishing, Shipbuilding, Trade, and Smuggling • Heavy reliance on the Atlantic Ocean • People relied on Subsistence Farming – produced enough for themselves + a little extra for trading • Settlers from England made up the largest groups of the region’s population • John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush

5. People, continued … African Americans • Slavery wasn’t economical in New England because they weren’t needed for farming. • Many slaves worked in houses or were hired out for various jobs. • Slaves could eventually save enough money to purchase their freedom.

6. Government • John Winthrop was Massachusetts’ first governor • “The New England Way” – used by Puritans to describe their beliefs & society • The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – extended voting rights to non-church members & limited the governor’s power

7. Economy • Land was sold to large groups – often Puritan congregations. • As a result towns grew in a way that was conducive to trade. • Towns usually centered around a “green” – a central square where many public activities took place.

8. Economy, Continued ... • Triangular Trade • part of three types of trade NE colonies engaged in • Iron, rum exchanged for slaves and gold – VERY PROFITABLE • Navigation Acts of 1651 • Law passed by the English in an attempt to get a cut out of New England’s wealthy trade. Difficult for the English to enforce. • Pirates like Blackbeard disrupted colonial shipping

9. Social & Religious Changes • Early 1700’s saw many changes to Puritan society • Drive for economic success competed w/Puritan ideals • Increased competition from other religious groups • Political changes • England granted religious freedom for all Protestants, not just Puritans

10. The Middle Colonies New England The South 13 Colonies Map

11. Climate, Resources & People • Shorter winters and more fertile soil • Climate was good for farming & livestock • Excellent ports and river systems (New York, NY on the Hudson; Philadelphia, PA on the Delaware) • Exported grain, furs, and whale oil and imported manufactured goods • Ship building • New York and Philly developed and expanded quickly • Rivaled the nicest cities of England.

12. People, Continued … • Was known for its diversity. • Heavy German influence in the region • German craftsman and artisans created many important goods: • Long rifles, iron works, glass, furniture, and dinner ware.

13. Government • Proprietors like The Duke of York (New York), King Charles II, and William Penn (Pennsylvania) owned most of the land grants • Set up colonies to compete with Dutch • “Penn’s Woods” later grants portion of land to Delaware colony

14. Climate of Tolerance • The wide variety of groups made it difficult for one group to dominate over another • As a result, there was a great deal of tolerance in the Middle Colonies, EXCEPT towards... • Some were slaves and some were free. Either way they worked as laborers, servants, drivers, sailors, and assistants • Racial tensions did exist, especially in NYC. • Violence was used by both sides – but African Americans were forced into submission. African Americans

15. Colonial Philadelphia

16. The South New England The Middle Colonies 13 Colonies Map

17. Climate & Resources • Warm climate & good soil – ideal for plantation crops like indigo, rice, corn, and tobacco. • As # of plantations grew, they became self-sufficient, so very few large cities developed in the South.

18. The People • “Planter Class” • Became wealthy off of the cash crops they grew • Dominated all aspects of Southern life • Viewed themselves as nobility. • George Washington, Thomas Jefferson & George Mason

19. The Need For Slavery • Plantations had difficulties finding the necessary labor to run a plantation. • Many indentured servants were leaving plantations. • Turned to slave labor. Africans already established as reliable slaves – so planters started to use them. • Kept under control with strict slave codes.

20. Government • Colonies throughout the South started for radically different reasons: • Maryland – George Calvert (tobacco production to offset his losses in NE) • Carolinas – Ruled by 8 “Lord’s Proprietors” and settled by British colony from Barbados • Georgia – refuge for debtors • Virginia – haven for some English convicts, and others hoped to make their fortunes

21. The Story of The Carolinas • Carolinas settled privately by 8 “Lord’s Proprietors” • Carolinas frequently clashed with Native tribes • Colonists overthrew Carolina colony after proprietors refused to defend Charleston against Spanish attack • Later, Carolinas became too large to govern – split in 1712

22. Conclusion • The diversity of the 13 colonies offered a great deal of economic possibilities to the British Empire. • It also gave the 13 colonies the wealth needed to start becoming a country.

23. CLOSURE • The “Triangular Trade” is a term used to describe the movement of goods between Western Europe, West Africa, and A Central Asia. B the Americas. C Australia. D the Middle East. • The Mayflower Compact (1620) was significant in the political development of the American colonies because it introduced the principle of A self-government. B separation of powers. C freedom of expression. D federalism.