Comparing the New Colonies
- summary
Following the successes and failures of the first three colonies at Roanoke, Jamestown and Plymouth, people from Europe continued coming to the New World for the chance at a better life. Some people hoped to find wealth. Others wanted the chance at religious freedom.
There were three colonial regions: The New England Colonies, The Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. Each had similarities and differences to the others.
The New England colonies were primarily settled by Puritans hoping to find religious freedom. There was more democracy in this region than any other.
The Middle Colonies had a strong economy and a diverse population. Many people moved here for the chance to gain wealth.
The Southern Colonies had an economy dependent upon the plantation system. Georgia was founded to provide a relief for debtors.
Some people such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson were persecuted for their religious beliefs. These two were banished from Massachusetts and fled to Rhode Island, which became a haven for religious dissenters.
Slavery began in the colonies when European traders began trading guns for slaves with the hope of making a great deal of money selling the West Africans to plantation owners.
Words to Know
Quaker - a member of the religious Society of Friends
Puritans - a member of a strict religious group dedicated to the purification of the ideals of the Church of England
lumber - wood and wood products
debtor - one who owes money
cash crop - crop grown, harvested and sold for profit
plantation - a large farm
revoke - to take back
treason - to act against the government
auction - a public sale where merchandise is sold to the highest bidder
deport - to send away
fertile - rich; good for growing crops
thou - Quaker term for “you”
Suggested Literature
“Anne Hutchinson: Religious Reformer” by Mélina Mangal, 2000
“A Colonial Quaker Girl: the Diary of Sally Wister 1777-1778” by Megan O’Hara, 1999 “The Quakers” by Jean Kinney Williams, 1998
“The English Colonization of North America: How Explorers and Colonists Such as Sir Walter Raleigh, John Smith, and Miles Standish Helped Establish England’s Presence in the New World” by Dan Harvey, 2003
“A Primary Source History of the Colony of Rhode Island” by Joan Axelrod-Contrada, 2006
Important People
Roger Williams
Ann Hutchinson
Websites of the Week
This is a very clearly written site with information about the Quaker way of life: http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/northamerica/after1500/religion/quakers.htm
This site is a super kid-friendly web quest about the colonial regions and experience. http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/mce/jhenry/13colonies/The%2013%20Colonies%20WebQuest.htm
This site provides additional information about the democratic process as it related to colonial life. http://www.congressforkids.net/Independence_thirteencolonies.htm
Questions to think about
Explain why the success of Plymouth inspired more people to come to the colonies?
How did the Puritans differ from the Pilgrims?
How did cold winters help the survival rate in the New England Colonies?
Why would a man in the New England Colony feel he had more say in the government than he did in England?
Which of the New England Colonies do you think would have been best suited to life for your family?
How did the climate of the Middle Colonies differ from the New England Colonies?
How did New York’s governor rule the colony?
Why was Maryland founded?
Why was Georgia founded?
What was important about plantations?
What did Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson have in common?
What Rhode Island city was founded by Williams?
What is treason?
Why was Hutchinson placed on trial?
Why did people speak against Hutchinson after her death?
How were slaves first discovered?
Why did people of West Africa agree to trade slaves?
Why do you think auctions were traumatic for slave families?