Middle ColoniesMr. Mullins

Virginia & U.S. History

Settlement

• The Middle Atlantic region was settled chiefly by English,

Dutch, and German speaking immigrants

• Many of these settlers were seeking religious freedom

and economic opportunity

Economy

• Consisted of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware

• Involved in shipbuilding, small-scale farming (subsistence farming), and trading

• Cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore began to grow as seaports and commercial centers

Religion & Social Characteristics

• The middle colonies were home to multiple religious groups, including Quakers in Pennsylvania.

• These colonies had more flexible social structures & began to develop a middle class of skilled artisans, business owners, and small farmers

• The middle colonies are also known for their great diversity of people

Quakers

• Pennsylvania was settled by a large number of Quakers

• Quakers were Protestants who had suffered religious persecution in England

• Quakers believed firmly that people should be treated as equals, both in church & in society and government

• Eventually, Pennsylvania would become a haven for people of multiple faiths