Climate & Geography
This region’s short growing season and rocky soil made large-scale farming difficult
New England
This region developed around small towns with church-centered communities and town meetings
New England
Under this system, colonies existed to benefit the wealth and power of the mother country
Mercantilism
The Declaration of Independence was signed in this city
Philadelphia, PA
This region had fertile soil and a moderate climate, making it good for both farming and trade
Middle Colonies
This region became known for port cities like New York and Philadelphia that grew because of trade
Middle Colonies
These laws limited who the colonies could trade with, leading many merchants to smuggle goods
Navigation Acts
The building where the Declaration was debated and signed
Independence Hall
The long, warm growing season in this region supported plantation agriculture
Southern Colonies
This region’s economy relied heavily on large plantations with labor-intensive cash crops
Southern Colonies
Town meetings in New England are an example of this kind of government where citizens help make decisions
Self-government (or direct participation in government)
This large meeting body gathered in Philadelphia and acted as the government of the colonies during the Revolution
Continental Congress
This region was known for deep rivers and natural harbors, helping cities grow as trade centers
Middle Colonies
Colonists in this region were more likely to live far apart from each other, making local government less community-based
Southern Colonies
Colonial assemblies and elected legislatures show that colonists were becoming used to this political practice long before independence
Representative government
This term describes how colonies learned to rule themselves over time because Britain often failed to strictly enforce trade laws
Salutary neglect