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The Middle Colonies were made of New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania.
Geography
The middle colonies had deep, rich soil. The fertile soil was good for farming. These colonies had mild winters and warm summers. The growing season was longer than in New England because there was more sun and lots of rain. There were many long, wide rivers that were used to ship goods to other colonies. Two of the main rivers were the Hudson River and the Delaware River. This area also had good coastal harbors for shipping. The land ranged from coastal plains, piedmont (rolling hills), and mountains further inland.
Economics
Because the soil was so rich and fertile, many middle colonists farmed. Besides wheat, farmers harvested grains like rye and corn, earning them the nickname “The Breadbasket Colonies.” They farmed more than they could eat, so many used the rivers to export their extra crops to the cities. They would sell their goods in cities like Philadelphia and New York. Merchants in these cities would then sell the goods to other cities and countries. Many farmers built flour mills where they ground wheat into flour and then could ship it to England. Farmers also raised livestock, including pigs and cows.
Social
The people who lived in the middle colonies were from many different areas of Europe. They were a diverse population and took part in different religions. Quakers were one of the main religions of the Middle Colonies. Quakers believed in equality, peace, acceptance and fought against slavery as early as the 1600s. The colonists that were living here were very tolerant of one another. This was different from the New England colonies, who expected those who settled there to also be Puritans. If they weren’t Puritans, they had to move and begin new colonies of their own, often in the region of the middle colonies. A Frenchman visiting the middle colonies called it a great “melting pot” because of the great diversity of the people living in this area.
Political
During the time that the colonies were being established, the official religion of England was The Church of England. However, there were people who wanted to join other Christian churches, such as the Puritans and the Quakers. If they did join a different church, they were persecuted and punished by being put in jail.
William Penn, the founder of the Middle Colonies was a famous Quaker. He became a Quaker in his twenties and went to jail several times for going to Quaker meetings. As the situation for the Quakers was becoming more difficult in England, Penn came up with a plan for the Quakers. He went to King Charles II and asked to create a colony in North America where the Quakers would go. King Charles owed Penn’s father a large amount of money, and Penn stated that the land would be the repayment of this debt. King Charles II liked his idea and gave Penn a charter for a large area of land that would be called Pennsylvania, “sylvania” meaning “woods” (so Penn’s woods). Penn also planned Pennsylvania’s first city, Philadelphia (meaning "brotherly love").
William Penn wanted the Middle Colonies to be for all people from all places. The King appointed "Royal Governors" to be in charge.
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