Geography and Climate
This region is known for having milder winters and fertile soil compared to New England. What is the general climate and soil quality of the middle colonies?
Milder winters and fertile soil (New England) good for farming
Many farmers in the Middle Colonies grew grain that could be sold. What is one example of such a grain?
Wheat (also barley or oats).
The Middle Colonies were known for having many different groups of people living there. What word describes a place with many different cultures and religions?
Diverse or pluralistic (multicultural)
Some Middle Colonies allowed more religious freedom that others. Name one colony more known for its religious tolerance.
Pennsylvania (founded by Willian Penn)
This port city in Pennsylvania grew into a large trading center and was one of the biggest cities in the colonies. Name it.
Philadelphia
Name one major river that helped settlers transport goods in the Middle Colonies
Delaware River or Hudson River (either acceptable)
The Middle Colonies had many skilled workers who made good by hand. Name one trade or craft common in towns .
Blacksmith, shoemaker, carpenter, weaver, etc.
Name one group (nationally or ethic) that settled in the Middle Colonies.
English, Dutch, German (Pennsylvania Dutch), Swedish, Irish, Scottish, African (enslaved and free)Native American groups
Many towns in the Middle Colonies used a local meeting place for decisions. What is one local government meeting called ( a short common term)?
Town meeting, council, or assembly
This city in New York was a major port and trading center in the Middle Colonies; it was first called New Amsterdam by the Dutch, What is modern name?
New York City
The Middle Colonies were located between two other colonial regions. Name both regions
New England and the Southern Colonie
Describe how rivers and ports supported the economy of the Middle Colonies. (Give one specific example of what was shipped).
Rivers/ports allowed shipping of grain, lumber , fur, and manufactured goods. (example: wheat shipped to Europe)
The Middle Colonies had many different religious groups. Name two different religions or denominations that were present.
Quakers, Anglican (Church of England), Catholics, Lutherans, Jewish communities (in some cities)
Explain how religious tolerance in the Middle Colonies affected government or laws. (Give one example)
Example: Laws in Pennsylvania allowed freedom of worship and protected settlers of different faith; Quakers influence in local laws.
Name a city in Maryland or Delaware (choose one) that served as an important town or port in the Middle Colonies region.
Example answers : Annapolis (Maryland), Wilmington (Delaware), New Castle (Delaware)
Describe how the geography of the Middle Colonies helped support both farming and trade. (give two ways)
Rivers for transportation; wide plains for farming ; natural harbors for trade
The Middle Colonies exported goods to Europe and other colonies. Name two types of products they exported.
Grains(wheat, barley, oats), lumber, furs, livestock products
Explain one way that diversity in the Middle Colonies affected daily life or celebrations (for example: food, language, holidays)
Examples: food from different cultures, bilingual households, diverse religious festivals, markets with varied goods.
Some colonies had proprietors-people who were given control over the colony by the king. Name one Middle Colony that was a proprietary colony.
Pennsylvania and Maryland began as proprietary colonies (also Delaware had propriety origins).
Explain why ports and cities in the Middle Colonies were important to colonial life. Give two reasons.
Ports allowed importing and exporting goods, provided jobs, and were centers for news and cultural exchange.
Explain why the Middle Colonies were often called the "breadbasket" colonies. Include what crops made them earn that name.
Because they produced large amounts of wheat, barley, oats, and other grains used for foods and export.
Explain how both small family farms and larger farms/plantations coexisted in the Middle Colonies and how that affected trade.
Many family farms produced enough for local markets and towns, while larger farms produced surplus for export; this mix supported local craftsman and trade networks.
Describe how the cultural mix of the Middle Colonies influenced schools or local communities. Give one specific example (such as languages used, types of schools, or community festivals.)
Example: Schools might teach in English but communities kept heritage languages (German/Dutch); religious groups set up their own schools; community festivals reflected various traditions.
Describe how colonists in the Middle Colonies could participate in government. Give one example of a way colonists had a voice in local or colonial decisions.
Examples: voting in local elections( for white male property owners), town meetings, colonial assemblies where representatives met.
Choose one important city from the Middle Colonies and describe a specific industry or trade that city was know for.
Example: Philadelphia -know for shipbuilding, trade, printing and publishing. New York port trade. merchants. and shipping, Wilmington-shipping and milling.