Using your book and the above video, write a short paragraph (3-6 sentences) comparing and contrasting the colonies (For example, how was the New England colony different from the Southern Colonies? How was it similar? What did the Middle Colonies do differently from the New England Colonies?). Be as detailed as possible. Your answer can focus on belief systems, location, government, policies, etc.

Answer 1

The New England Colonies and the Southern Colonies differed significantly in their economic structures and social systems. New England, characterized by its rocky terrain and cooler climate, focused on small-scale farming, fishing, and trade, leading to a more community-oriented society with a strong Puritan influence that shaped their governance and belief systems. In contrast, the Southern Colonies, with their warm climate and fertile land, developed plantation systems reliant on cash crops like tobacco and cotton, leading to a hierarchical society with a heavy reliance on enslaved labor. Both regions, however, shared a commitment to self-governance and local control, as seen in their town meetings in New England and county courts in the South. The Middle Colonies presented a blend of these two worlds, benefitting from fertile soil and a more diverse population, which allowed for a mix of agriculture and commerce, as well as a greater degree of religious tolerance influenced by Quaker beliefs.