The Southern Colonies
Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Virginia
In 1607, Jamestown, Virginia was founded. It was the first successful English colony. The House of Burgesses was the first elected legislature, and it began in 1619. Only white men that owned land or had money were allowed to vote or be elected. In 1632, the Anglican church became the official church of Virginia. Tobacco was Virginia's main cash crop.
Maryland
Maryland started in 1634, when King Charles I gave land to Lord Baltimore. In 1649, the Toleration Act was passed, which gave Christians freedom to worship in their own ways. Tobacco was also Maryland's main cash crop.
North & South Carolina
In 1663, King Charles II founded Carolina. The northern part of the colony had very few harbors and not much fertile soil, yet the southern part of Carolina had very fertile soil and many harbors for trade. Because of it's differences, North Carolina and South Carolina became two separate colonies. North Carolina didn't really have a cash crop, but it had naval stores. South Carolina had rice and indigo.
Georgia
In 1732, the colony of Georgia was started when King George II gave land to James Oglethorpe. The goal was to make a colony where debtors and the poor could start a new life. This plan didn't work too well because only 12 people would agree to travel to Georgia. Georgia had two major cash crops, rice and indigo.