13 Colonies!
By Jake Watson
New England Colonies!
Massachusetts
Founded in 1629 by a group of Puritans. They were seeking religious freedoms from the english government. An important person was John Winthrop, who became the colonies first governor. With lots of water front the people fished and built boats.
Connecticut
People moved from Massachusetts and began to settle here in the 1630's. It had much better soil so the people there where able to grow crops. Their leader was Thomas Hooker, a Puritan who did not like how Winthrop ran things. Many different towns came together to form the colony.
Rhode Island
Founded by Roger Williams in 1636. Completely open to any religion. Built ships and had large iron deposits so people could created tools and other things to sell to people. Ann Hutchinson was banished and cam here. She was banished because she wanted the freedom of speech, but since she was a women she was unable to preach.
New Hampshire
Created in 1638 by John Wheelwright who led people out of Massachusetts into a new colony. They were led by the Puritans, so people could not have religious freedoms, even if that is what they come to the colonies for. Another person was John Mason.
Geography and Economy
Mountains with thick tree's and rivers. People made money through fishing, whaling and ship building.
Middle Colonies!
New York
Founded in 1664 when the English took over the area from the Dutch. It was given to the Duke of York, which is how it got it's name, New York. Had a very diverse population, and was one of the fasted growing colonies. Some important people were King Charles II and the Duke of York. It was taken over because England felt that they had a claim to the Land.
New Jersey
In 1664, the Duke of York divided his land in two, giving part of it two two men (Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret). To bring in more people people they promised many freedoms, such as the Freedom of Religion, trail by jury, and representative assembly. Many different Ethnic groups in the area, but with no natural harbors it did not grow at a fast pace. By 1702, it was a Royal Colony.
Delaware
Settled by Swedish. Made of many dysfunctional counties in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1638 by Sir Thomas West.
Pennsylvania
Founded by the William Penn, a Quaker, in 1680. The people there wanted to become rich. It was nearly as large as England. Full of Pacifist, who believed there should be no fighting. They were based around the Idea that everyone is equal.
Geography and Economy
With much richer soil than the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies where able to grow lots of crops, which they sold. There were many rivers, which led to irrigation and even more farm.
Southern Colonies
Virginia
Started in 1607 with Jamestown. Based around farming, growing tobacco and rice. Grew with slaves as white Land owners needed laborers. As more people came William Berkley, Virginia's governor, made an agreement with the Natives. They would give a large piece of land and the new colonist would not continue to go onto their land.
Maryland
Founded in 1634 by Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore. Place for Catholic seeking safety from persecution in England. In 1692, Maryland became a Royal Colony so people who came to be Catholic were again persecuted. Some important people were Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, who drew the boundary line between Pennsylvania and Maryland.
South Carolina
Founded in 1670. Had large religious freedoms. Both of the Carolina's were founded in name of King Charles II. Farmers found that they could use the good soil to grow Tobacco, and use the coast to grow rice.
Georgia
Founded in 1733, was the last British colony set up. Made by James Oglethorpe to help poor English Citizens. The English hoped that it would also help block any possible attacks from the Spanish in Florida. Disappointed with the slow growth, he returned the colony to the King.
Geography and Economy
Lots of crops were grown. They had much flatter land than the rest of the colonies. They had some Rivers, which is where the made their plantations to have easy shipping.