Middle Colonies

How was New York founded?

Originally part of New Netherland, purchased as New Amsterdam from the Lenape by Peter Minuit in 1626. The Duke of York later sent soldiers to take control from the Dutch.

How was New Jersey founded?

Both the Dutch and Swedish had early claims. Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret were granted the lands by the English crown.

How was Delaware founded?

Settled by Swedes (New Sweden, founded by Peter Minuit) and claimed by the Dutch, later surrendered to the Duke of York. It was part of Pennsylvania until 1703.

Who founded Pennsylvania and why?

William Penn received a land grant in 1681 because King Charles II owed money to his father. He founded Pennsylvania as a colony for English Quakers, signed a peace treaty with the Lenape in 1683, and supported religious freedom and democracy.

Why was farming successful in the Middle Colonies?

: Rich soil and a mild climate made farming easy. Grain became a major cash crop, earning the colonies the nickname “the breadbasket”

How did trade work in the Middle Colonies?

Farmers transported crops along rivers like the Hudson and Delaware, exporting goods through ports in Philadelphia and New York City.

What were the main cities and their features by the mid-1700s?

Philadelphia and New York were the largest cities, important for trade and manufacturing. Streets were made of brick or cobblestone, lined with shops and inns.

What was unique about the population of the Middle Colonies?

Settlers came from Germany, Sweden, France, Scotland, and the Netherlands. There was no dominant religion—Quakers, Calvinists, Jews, Mennonites, and Catholics all lived there.

How were the Middle Colonies governed?

Many were proprietary colonies owned by individuals appointed by the King. Colonists also formed representative assemblies.

Who settled the frontier of the Middle Colonies and what was it like?

Scots-Irish and Germans settled along the Appalachian Mountains, resisting English authority and developing a growing independent spirit.