The New England Colonies comprise the modern states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. The New England region did not enjoy the same diversity, as did the Middle Colonies to their south. In Massachusetts, Plymouth Colony was one of the earliest colonies, settled by the British Pilgrims in 1620. The tensions created by the role of theocracy, status, wealth, land led Rodger Williams to establish Providence, and began the settlement Rhode Island. Other settlements in Connecticut, including Wethersfield and New Haven were established in a like manner, and for much the same reasons.
The Middle Colonies comprise the area explored by Henry Hudson and first settled by the Dutch who called it New Netherland. After the English wrested it away from the Dutch in the 1660s they broke it into the provinces of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania and Delaware Colony. This region enjoyed a greater diversity of nationalities, mostly Dutch and German, although the government ties lay with the English minority. The high ratio of churches to population is evidence of this diversity. The earliest settlers established Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Quaker and Anglican churches. Later the Protestant Reformation transplanted additional congregations including Dutch Mennonites and Calvinists, French Huguenots, German Baptists and Portuguese Jews. Because of this diversity, William Penn had governance issues with his lower colonies and created the Delaware Colony when he granted them a separate colonial assembly.
The Chesapeake Colonies of Maryland and Virginia did not initially enjoy their milder climate. Because it was a low-lying tidewater region, it did not clear out wastewater well and encouraged the mosquito population over the human. As a result and many of the indentured servants and other colonists died of dysentery, typhus and malaria The Piedmont area tended to be the healthiest and later settlement patterns originated and spread outwards from that region. Tobacco was an important export crop in the Chesapeake Colonies and slaves were imported directly from Africa to work that crop. This encouraged the establishment of large plantations devoted to agriculture, mainly tobacco along with some corn and wheat. The miles of waterways that laced this land were navigable by ocean going vessels and encouraged cross Atlantic trade. The governing system centered around a county seat which held an Anglican church, a tavern, a store and a few homes.
The Southern Colonies were initially granted to Sir Robert Heath in 1692 and later, in 1660 were bestowed by Charles II upon eight English lords who supported him in the English Restoration. This grant extended from the Outer Banks to around St. Augustine in Florida and west to the Pacific Ocean. Charles Town Carolana was one of the first settlements in the region. Although hogs and cattle thrived in the coastal areas, as in the Chesapeake Colonies to the north large agricultural plantations proved to be the most productive use of the land. However, agriculture was labor intensive and willing laborers where in short supply. To make up for this Southern plantation owners traded With West Indian planters for slaves. These slaves not only worked the land, because of the “head right” system of expansion it allowed plantation owners to clam more land for each slave imported. Native Americans were also captured and enslaved, which increased conflicts with the Native Nations who were already disenfranchised by the Spanish.
Religious beliefs, colonial ties to their European countries of origin, economic occupational activities and climate all created different societies in the early colonies. From in New England, where fishing, manufacture and European trade predominated to the Southern Colonies who focused on agriculture supported by a large slave population. While this diversity of assets helped during the American Revolution, it eventually led to the regionalization that precipitated the Civil War.
References
Early America. (2012). Explore the World of Early America. Retrieved 4 26, 2012, from Early America: http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/
