Slavery allowed wealthy aristocrats and large landowners to cultivate huge tracts of land. Plantations developed as nearly subsistent communities. The Southern colonies had fertile farmlands which contributed to the rise of cash crops such as rice, tobacco, and indigo. The coastal lowland and bays provided harbors, thus the middle colonies were able to provide trading opportunities where the three regions meet in market towns and cities. Their environment was ideal for small to large farms. This made it a more suitable place to grow grain and livestock than New England. The middles colonies had rich farmland and a moderate climate. The environment is ideal for water-powered machinery (mills), which allowed for finished products to be crafted, such as woven cloth and metal tools. New England’s economy at first specialized in nautical or boating equipment, while later the region developed mills and factories. As these regions developed highly specialized economies, each could not supply everything that was needed or at least not as effectively as an interdependent system – they relied on each other for certain items or skills. The Southern Colonies were primarily agricultural with few cities and limited schools. The Mid-Atlantic presented a diverse workforce of farmers, fisherman, and merchants. New England had skilled craftsmen in the industry of shipbuilding. The social-political structure included all three varieties: villages, cities, and small farms.Īnother difference is clearly noted in the human resources. The Middle colonies welcomed people from various and diverse lifestyles. They were seeking a new way of life to glorify God and for the greater good of their spiritual life. In contrast, the early New England colonists were primarily religious reformers and separatists. The Southern Colonies were established as economic ventures and were seeking natural resources to provide material wealth to the mother country and themselves. Specialized economies quickly emerged as a result of human and environmental interaction.Ĭolonial America also had regional differences among culture or historical reason for establishment as a colony. The available natural resources provided (or in essence dictated) what each region’s unique specialty would be or become. Historical BackgroundĬolonial America depended on the natural environment to meet basic needs of the people and the colony. This lesson will prepare the learner for the concept of interdependence of the colonies as a result of specialization. Students will use historical reading skills to conclude how the geography and natural environment influenced the economic specialization of each region with special attention to the early colonial era. In small groups for each region, students will observe and note details of pictures, maps, and advertisements in order to describe each region. Students will explore the differences among the three colonial regions of New England, Mid-Atlantic / Middle, and the Southern colonies.
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