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The Middle Colonies

The people who came to settled these colonies came for religious freedom(Pennsylvania) or to make money. There were more churches in this area than the other two areas.
The first people to come to these colonies were men from the Dutch from Holand and they called this land claimed "New Netherland".
After various wars at home England finally declared their dominance over this area. Around 1664 the English took the land by force from Holland. . The king gave the land to various proprietors. These were wealthy friends of the king.
In the Middle colonies there were various groups of immigrants coming from many different countries in Europe. They each brought their own religion, language, and customs. These religions were protected by written laws that supported religious freedom. Thus making these colonies different from all of the other British colonies.
By 1646 the population along the Hudson River in New York included Dutch, French, Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, English, Scots, Irish, Germans, Poles, Bohemians, Portuguese and Italians.
There were many farms established in this area. Wheat and other grains grew as cash crops on these farms. Thus this area was called the "bread" basket of the thirteen colonies. Many indentured servants came to these colonies.
The climate of this colony was devfinantly warmer in the summer than that of the New England colonies. This type of climate allowed for a longer growing season. The soil here was much more fertile and less rocky than the New England colonies to the north.
Many of the settlements, towns and cites grew up along or near a waterway.
in the large cities, manufacturing began. The factories produced iron, paper and textiles. While the Quakers and others inhabited the colony of Pennsylvania, New York was Inhabited by the Dutch. The Quakers were known for their simple life and their religious tolerance.
Many of their homes in towns were made of bricks. As towns developed the shopkeepers had their homes over their shops. Homes outside of town were made of logs and the cracks were filled with mud.
Many of the settlers of the Middle Colonies were on good terms with the Native Americans. They learned much to help them survive by observing and taking the advice of their Native American neighbors.
Later in their history they developed a series of unpaved roads to help them move their commerce from farms and manufacturing to the available water routes. Then these items could be exported to the Mother Country or to other colonies.

Be sure to watch the United Streaming video:
Making the Thirteen Colonies: The Middle Colonies
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