Significant Events and Famous Peo-

Events

1682– William Penn founded the colony of Penn-

sylvania

1701 - New Pennsylvania Constitution Adopted

1664 - New Amsterdam captured by duke of York

and renamed New York

1664: England gains control of New Jersey.

Famous People

William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania.

He wanted the Quakers to live in a safe place.

Benjamin Franklin started America’s first public

library in Philadelphia

Cultural Arts

Glass, furniture, and kitchenware were made by

craftsman.

Successful in textile art

Claudia Silva

Period 6

August 29, 2012

For more information contact:

Middle Colonies Company

Founders

Peter Minuit was the founder of the colonies

of New York and Delaware. New York was

founded in 1626 and Delaware in 1638, both

for trade and profit.

William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1682

with the purpose of bringing religious freedom

to Quakers.

Lord Berkeley established the colony of New

Jersey in 1660 for trade and profits.

Geography and Town Developments

Geography ranged from coastal plains along

the coastline, rolling hills along the middle,

and mountains farther inland.

Hills and flat land with good soil.

Climate and land ideal for agriculture; this re-

gion has warm summers and cold winters.

Natural resources: iron ore and rich land.

“The region had fair cities, substantial villages,

extensive fields, decent houses, and good

roads.”

Cities like New York and Philadelphia had a

Types of Government

In Pennsylvania and New York the county was

governed by a board of supervisors made up of

one representative of each town.

Colonies selected members of their community to

a general assembly, which made the laws.

White free man can vote.

Economy

The middle colonies have wheat and corn farms.

Aspects of New England shipbuilding and lum-

bering and large farms of the South can be found.

Common cash crops include fruits, vegetables,

and, above all, wheat.

Cattle, fish, fur, timber, iron, pigs, sheep, and

wheat.

Cash crops, especially grain were exported

Merchants sold fur, lumber, and tobacco in the

marketplace; Indians sold corn, beans, squash,

and pumpkins.

Ethnic, Religious, and Education

English immigrants were the largest group in the

area.

Germans were the second largest group in the mid-

dle colonies.

Small Dutch, French, Swedish, Irish, Scottish, and

Welch communities are also present.

Religious tolerance is practiced

Quakers, Mennonites, Lutherans, Dutch Calvinist,

Catholics and Presbyterians practice their religion

freely.

Most schools are private.

Girls are not allowed to attend school unless they

are Quaker.

Social Indicators

Quakers were willing to sell land at modest prices.

Families consist of at least seven children, aunts,

uncles, and grandparents.

Three social classes: the gentry which are the rich

and educated; middle classes mostly merchants and

farmers; and the poor are sailors and apprentices .

Houses are mostly made of wood and mud.

Few slaves are found in the region

Leisure Time

Free time is typically used in husking and spinning

– bees, dancing parties, horse racing, cock fighting,

and picnics.

Man also tend to drink heavily on leisure time.

Food

People eat about 1 pound of bread each day.

Popular food: pancakes, waffles, and pretzels.