Unit 3: The Middle Colonies
Establishment of the Colonies in the Middle Region:

New York:
o New York was originally controlled by the Netherlands. The Dutch colony was
established as fur trading post in 1613.
o New Amsterdam was the center of the fur trade
o Generous land grants and religious freedom brought many to the colony
o In 1664, the English captured New Netherland renaming it New York and
renaming New Amsterdam as New York City

New Jersey:
o New Jersey was settled in 1664 and attracted settlers of many different
national origins and religious groups

Pennsylvania:
o Pennsylvania was established in 1682 by William Penn as a safe place for the
Quakers after they left New Jersey
o The Quakers were a religious group known as the Society of Friends
o Quakers did not adopt a formal religion, they dressed plainly, they believed men
and women were equal before God, and they believed in nonviolence and religious
toleration

Delaware:
o Delaware was established in 1638 as a Dutch settlement. Eventually it became
an English colony that was largely controlled by neighboring Pennsylvania
Characteristics of the Middle Colonial Region:

Economic Characteristics:
o “Bread Basket”: These colonies grew staple crops such as wheat, barley, oats,
and corn. (Staple crops are essential crops that are grown for eating)
o Livestock: These raised cows, horses, and pigs
o Trade: New York City and Philadelphia were important trading cities

Political and Social Characteristics:
o There was more diversity in the Middle Colonies than in New England, so there
was a greater emphasis on political and religious toleration
o The Middle colonies used indentured servants for labor. Indentured services
worked for 4-7 years in exchange for the price to come to the colonies from
Europe. The colonies also had more slaves than New England, but less than the
South
o Used town and county meetings to make laws
Unit 3: The Middle Colonies
Establishment of the Colonies in the Middle Region:

New York:
o New York was originally controlled by the ______________________. The
Dutch colony was established as ______________ trading post in 1613.
o New __________________________ was the center of the fur trade
o Generous land grants and religious freedom brought many to the colony
o In 1664, the English captured New Netherland renaming it New York and
renaming New Amsterdam as _______________________________

New Jersey:
o New Jersey was settled in 1664 and attracted settlers of many different
national origins and religious groups

Pennsylvania:
o Pennsylvania was established in 1682 by ___________________________ as a
safe place for the _________________________ after they left New Jersey
o The Quakers were a religious group known as the Society of _______________
o Quakers did not adopt a formal religion, they dressed plainly, they believed men
and women were ___________________ before God, and they believed in
nonviolence and religious ______________________

Delaware:
o Delaware was established in 1638 as a Dutch settlement. Eventually it became
an English colony that was largely controlled by neighboring Pennsylvania
Characteristics of the Middle Colonial Region:

Economic Characteristics:
o “Bread Basket”: These colonies grew staple crops such as wheat, barley, oats,
and corn. (Staple crops are essential crops that are grown for eating)
o Livestock: These raised ______________, horses, and pigs
o Trade: New York City and __________________ were important trading cities

Political and Social Characteristics:
o There was more ______________________ in the Middle Colonies than in New
England, so there was a greater emphasis on political and religious toleration
o The Middle colonies used indentured servants for labor. Indentured services
worked for 4-7 years in exchange for the price to come to the colonies from
Europe. The colonies also had more __________________ than New England,
but less than the ________________
o Used _______________ and county meetings to make laws