Introduction
This paper discusses the differences that have shaped the economies of northern, middle and southern English colonies. The major factors that account for the differences between northern, middle and southern English colonies are those things that have helped shape the economies of the colonies. They are those factors that have helped shape their lifestyles. The financial position of each colony was determined by what these colonies produced. Their differences in politics, religion, economics and social values make them distinct from each other .
Northern Colony
Religious aspect:
The history of northern colony shapes when the Puritans founded the northern colony. Northern colony is known for its strict religious values. These values emerged when King Henry VIII outlawed Catholic Church in order to bring religious values in the country. At that time, Puritanism evolved in England. Puritan religion had a great impact in the way of life of New England in seventeenth century. In the mid-seventeenth century, Quakers started to come in Massachusetts. Quakers had different religious values. They were of the opinion that neither preachers nor Bibles are important to worship God. This belief contradicts to Puritan’s belief to a great extent. Quakers were then treated poorly. Many acts of violence were imposed on them .
Political aspect:
Politics vary in all the three colonies just as religion varies. New England was ruled by Puritans for Puritanism. There was a chartered body called the General Court that governed the Massachusetts Bay Company stockholders. The General Court was responsible for making laws and governing the company. The people of the New England colony took this concept of General Court seriously and applied it to govern their colony.
Economic aspect:
The northern colony was shaped by farming, trade and fish. People of this colony would often trade with their neighbors. Their major export was livestock .
Southern Colony
Religious aspect:
People of southern colony were not very enthusiastic when it comes to religion. They did not practice their beliefs with the same enthusiasm as people of New England did .
Political aspect:
The southern colony was ruled and governed by oldest legislative body called the House of Burgesses. A royal governor was appointed by the King of England who selected his own council. The council was known as the upper body. Lower house was formed by selecting representatives from each region of the colony by their inhabitants. A large number of people followed the Virginia model of government .
Economic aspect:
The southern colony was the richest of all. This colony was known for tobacco and cash crops . The southern colony was quick to learn how to grow tobacco on a large scale and eventually exported tobacco to England. In order to grow tobacco on a large scale, they required a big labor force. Around 1670, the number of African slaves coming to southern colonies started increasing. The plantation owners preferred buying slaves rather than keeping servants. Slavery became a distinct practice in southern colonies. They were of the opinion that even though a slave would cost more than a servant, yet he would be saved for the rest of the life .
Middle Colony
Religious aspect:
Quakers started coming in the middle colony around 1700. A Quaker colony was created which was led by William Penn. Besides Quakers, there were many other religious groups settling in the middle colony at that time. There were Baptists, Orthodox, Puritans and Lutherans who began settling in New Jersey. When William Penn founded Pennsylvania, he made it sure that every settler would have the right to exercise his faith and religion .
Political aspect:
The middle colony was ruled by British monarchy until the time William Penn founded Pennsylvania. There were no binding forces by the government to pay taxes to support church or to attend church. Penn formed a colonial council that had power to develop rules in order to administrate the government. A governor was also appointed by him who had veto powers regarding laws that have been passed by council .
Economic aspect:
The middle colony was known for wheat and trade. They were known as Breadbasket of North America as they had a wide variety crops. They made a great amount of money as they grew wheat in abundance .
Conclusion
References
Hagen, T. (2005). Major Differences Between the Colonies. Retrieved from http://thomashagen.wordpress.com/history-papers/major-differences-between-the-colonies/
Phillips, M. (2013, February 18). American History 2013: Differences Between the North, South and Middle Colonies. Retrieved from http://melindaphillips.blogspot.se/2013/02/differences-between-north-south-and.html
Whaples, R., & Parker, R. E. (2013). Routledge Handbook of Modern Economic History. New York: Routledge.
