Chapter 4

I. Distinct Colonial Regions Develop

a. New England Colonies-long winters rocky soil

b. Middle Colonies-shorter winters and fertile soil

c. Southern Colonies-warm climate and good soil

d. Backcountry – climate and resources varied

II. New England Colonies

a. Farms and towns

1. Practiced subsistence farming (produced food for themselves and a little extra to trade)

b. The Sea and Trading

2. Relied on the sea and trading

· Made profit on fish from the sea

· Triangular trade: A trade route with stops in New England, Africa and West Indies

a) England wanted a piece of these trade profits and therefore passed the Navigation Acts

c. Very few slaves in this area – many free blacks

d. Puritan religion declines, other religious groups established churches in this area

III. The Middle Colonies

a. Resources

1. Longer growing season

2. Rich soil

3. Grew corn wheat and had mills to make bread

4. Rivers that empty into the ocean, ideal for developing cities

b. Diversity and tolerance

1. Variety of people from many regions

· Brought ideas and crafts, artisans (skilled artists), used conestoga wagons to carry goods

2. Many religious groups, tolerant of each other

c. Slaves were used in the middle colonies

IV. The Southern Colonies

a. Plantation Economy

1. Almost a year-round growing season

2. Rice, corn, indigo, and tobacco

b. Slaves are used on the plantations

1. Plantations expanded due to slaves

2. Overseers force long hours and whip slaves to force them to work

3. Sometimes slaves rebelled against their owners

Ex. Stono Rebellion in 1739

c. Wealthy plantation owners become a “class” of their own

V. The Backcountry

a. Geography

1. In or near the Appalachian Mts.

2. Fall line in the south (falls of water prevent ships from moving upriver)

3. Many springs and streams provide water in this area

4. Wooded area, so wood could be used for wood fences and homes

b. Settlers

1. Settlers had to learn to survive with native Americans

2. Scottish-Irish lived in clans in the backcountry

c. Life

1. Settlers became self-sufficient because of rough roads and rivers

2. People began to move west

a. This movement caused some conflict with people already in these areas