New England’s colonial economy was based on agriculture, commerce, and small-scale manufacturing. 

New England merchants expanded the colonial economy through Atlantic trade. 

New England was different from other colonial regions in terms of its use of enslaved labor and its religious views. 

Education and literacy were important to New England colonists and had a major impact on the region’s economic and social development. 

The Southern Colonies developed a system of plantation agriculture that relied on increasing numbers of enslaved Africans. 

Life in the coastal areas of the Southern Colonies differed greatly from life further inland, and revolved extensively around slavery. 

Plantation slaves kept their African culture and traditions alive, even though their living and working conditions were often very difficult. 

After gaining their freedom, some former slaves wrote about their experiences and the cruelty they’d endured. They wanted to open up people’s eyes to the true nature of slavery. 

The fertile land of the Middle Colonies allowed farmers to raise cash crops and livestock for sale and export, resulting in a booming economy. 

In addition to being economically successful, the Middle Colonies were culturally diverse. 

While the Middle Colonies made an honest attempt to tolerate different religions, tensions still existed between different races. 

Rights and wealth were not evenly distributed across religions, social classes, races, and genders in colonial American society.

The Enlightenment, emphasizing reason, and the Great Awakening, a religious renewal, helped shape colonial thought.  

Political changes in England that balanced the power between Parliament and the king helped set the American colonies on the path to democracy.

The trial of John Peter Zenger helped pave the way for freedom of the press.  

Competition for land and furs involved France and Great Britain in many years of war in North America, starting with the French and Indian War. 

The British and French fought for control of North America in the French and Indian War, with extensive losses on both sides. 

Victory in the French and Indian War expanded British territory but led to conflict with Native Americans in the Ohio Valley.