Similarities and Differences among the British Colonies

British Colonies in America were broken up into regions. These regions consisted of the Northern, Middle, and Southern. Each region had its similarities and differences. All colonies were the same in the sense that their economies were based off of agriculture. Each had something to do with the slave trade, and all engaged in a sense of independence. Deism became prevalent, meaning that God made the world, but was not actively involved in it. Even though they had things in common they also came with many differences. These differences and culture expectations in each region were the factors that played a role in their economy and those that played a role in society. Each region used agriculture to make a living, and they all used it in a variety of ways. In each region we discover what these differences are based on how their economy and society was shaped.

Northern Colonial Region	New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay (Plymouth), Rhode Island, and Connecticut
Economy was shaped by:	New England farmers exported grain and livestock, but many could barely feed themselves and their families. Therefore, they turned to alternative occupations such as trading with the West Indies (grain, flour, wheat, corn) and developing fishing industries.
Society was shaped by	Northern Colony families typically came in family groups. "Living alone was not permitted because they valued community" - Dr. Holden and most believed in Calvinism. The biggest impact they made was writing the Mayflower Compact- first written form of government.

Southern Colonial Region (Larger Region)	The Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia
Economy was shaped by:	Wealthiest region that was known for growing tobacco, rice, and cotton. Their crops were grown for sale and profit. Classes were divided by belief in white supremacy. They believed that white people were superior and gained more power.
Society was shaped by	The south included indentured servants voluntary and involuntary (typically lower class) who had their way paid to come over from Europe and work in America as an employer for 4-7 years then gained their own freedom. After this they found a new source of labor in African Slaves.

Middle Colonial Region	New Netherlands/New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
Economy was shaped by:	Middle colonies depended on fur trade, and farming for survival. Their trade city was Philadelphia, where they had a wide range of imports.
Society was shaped by	This region did not have one set of beliefs. They were settled by multiple nationalities (German, Dutch, and Swedish) which in turn gave cultural diversity. The colonies in this Middle Region had great relationships with the Natives who taught them to farm and become well acquainted in their surroundings.