Colonization and Revolutionary War: Background to the Colonies
Colonization and Revolutionary War: Background to the Colonies
Colonization and Revolutionary War: Background to the Colonies
by ReadWorks
by ReadWorks
Before the Revolutionary War, there were thirteen colonies under British rule in North America. People came from all over Europe seeking freedom or fortune in the colonies. Many people brought their culture with them, and people of similar backgrounds often came together or settled in the same place. Soon, each colony began to take on its own character. There were three main groups of colonies: The New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. Each group began to share characteristics based on its location and people. For example, the Southern Colonies had fertile soil and sunshine necessary for farms. The Northern Colonies had some important ports.
Before the Revolutionary War, there were thirteen colonies under British rule in North America. People came from all over Europe seeking freedom or fortune in the colonies. Many people brought their culture with them, and people of similar backgrounds often came together or settled in the same place. Soon, each colony began to take on its own character. There were three main groups of colonies: The New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. Each group began to share characteristics based on its location and people. For example, the Southern Colonies had fertile soil and sunshine necessary for farms. The Northern Colonies had some important ports.
New England Colonies
New England Colonies
Soil in New England was rocky and the winters were harsh, which made farming difficult. There were small farms in New England, but no big farms like the southern plantations. Instead, the North became the center of the shipbuilding industry. Trees were everywhere. Before long, Boston, which began as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, became the most important port city in the colonies.
Soil in New England was rocky and the winters were harsh, which made farming difficult. There were small farms in New England, but no big farms like the southern plantations. Instead, the North became the center of the shipbuilding industry. Trees were everywhere. Before long, Boston, which began as the Massachusetts Bay Colony, became the most important port city in the colonies.
Religion was very important to the people in New England. You may have heard of the Pilgrims who came to the New World to find religious freedom. They wanted to be free to practice their own religion, but they did not always allow other people the same freedom. Town life was centered on the church. If you did not belong to the church, you were an outcast.
Religion was very important to the people in New England. You may have heard of the Pilgrims who came to the New World to find religious freedom. They wanted to be free to practice their own religion, but they did not always allow other people the same freedom. Town life was centered on the church. If you did not belong to the church, you were an outcast.
The Middle Colonies
The Middle Colonies
The Middle Colonies tolerated more types of religions than the Pilgrims and Puritans of New England. William Penn began the colony Pennsylvania. He wanted people of every faith and every nationality to come to his colony. Philadelphia, "The City on the Hill," was the biggest city in all the colonies. When the Revolutionary War broke out, representatives from all the colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. Philadelphia became the first capital of the new continental government. Many of our nation's symbols, like the Liberty Bell, are still in Philadelphia.
The Middle Colonies tolerated more types of religions than the Pilgrims and Puritans of New England. William Penn began the colony Pennsylvania. He wanted people of every faith and every nationality to come to his colony. Philadelphia, "The City on the Hill," was the biggest city in all the colonies. When the Revolutionary War broke out, representatives from all the colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. Philadelphia became the first capital of the new continental government. Many of our nation's symbols, like the Liberty Bell, are still in Philadelphia.
New York was also a Middle Colony and an important shipping and trading center. The population in New York was the most diverse of anywhere in the young colonies. If you listened in on dinner table conversations along the Hudson River, you would hear more than 12 languages! Most of the immigrants from other countries who came to the middle colonies were skilled at a craft. They came and built shops where they could practice their trade - from cabinet making to weaving to candle making.
New York was also a Middle Colony and an important shipping and trading center. The population in New York was the most diverse of anywhere in the young colonies. If you listened in on dinner table conversations along the Hudson River, you would hear more than 12 languages! Most of the immigrants from other countries who came to the middle colonies were skilled at a craft. They came and built shops where they could practice their trade - from cabinet making to weaving to candle making.
The Southern Colonies
The Southern Colonies
Rich land and a mild climate determined the future of the Southern Colonies: agriculture. The Southern Colonies were based on farming, especially tobacco farming. Tobacco was grown on large plantations. The most important people in the Southern Colonies lived on these big farms and not in towns. As a result, the Southern Colonies were more spread out. Towns were smaller. Houses were more spread out from each other. Instead of going to schools in town like children in New England, southern children might have studied at home. Many were also sent to England to be educated.
Rich land and a mild climate determined the future of the Southern Colonies: agriculture. The Southern Colonies were based on farming, especially tobacco farming. Tobacco was grown on large plantations. The most important people in the Southern Colonies lived on these big farms and not in towns. As a result, the Southern Colonies were more spread out. Towns were smaller. Houses were more spread out from each other. Instead of going to schools in town like children in New England, southern children might have studied at home. Many were also sent to England to be educated.