Colonial AmericaU.S. History 11: Unit 1

Can you name the 13 Colonies?

The 13 British Colonies

American Colonies

● Appalachian Mountains created the western boundary of the colonies.

● Colonies were founded by Great Britain.● Initially most colonists were English, however later there

were also many Dutch, Swedes, Germans, Spanish, French, Italians and Portuguese throughout the colonies.

American Colonies

● Triangular trade also brought many slaves from Africa.

American Colonies

● New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies

● Population:o 1690 - 250,000o 1775 - 2.5 Million

New England Colonies

● Northernmost Colonies: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut

● Not well suited for large scale farming:

Thin and rocky soilMany hills and mountainsLong/cold winters

● Subsistence Farming

New England Continued

● Most lived in small towns or villages which led to schools, churches, and town halls.

● Extremely Religiouso Pilgrims & Puritans

● Made a living by:o Shipbuilding, lumbering,

fishing, and ironworks

Middle Colonies

● New York, New Jersey , Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

● Better suited than New England for farming.

● “Bread Colonies” - these colonies produced a large amount of corn and wheat.

Middle Colonies Continued

● In addition to farming there were many industries such as weaving, shoe making, cabinet making, etc.

● Busy ports include Philadelphia, and New York.

● Large number of Quakers in PA.● Very Diverse - large number of different

ethnicities in this area.

Southern Colonies

● Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

● Large Scale Commercial Farmingo Fertile soil, low-lying flat land,

warm climate● Cash Crops - a crop that is grown

to be sold rather than for use by the farmer.o Tobacco, rice, and indigo

Southern Colonies Continued

● Social Structureo Upper Class - Plantation Ownerso Middle Class - Small Farmerso Lower Class - Slaves and Indentured Servants

Southern Colonies Continued

● Southerners were very loyal to England and wanted to replicate their society after that of Great Britain.o Most followed the Anglican Church (Church of

England)o Virginia banished all religious nonconformists

Common Ground

● All colonist developed a tough, rugged, and individualistic nature because of the difficult conditions in which they had to live.

● All wanted more self-government● Would eventually rise up against a common

foe.