Question

Why was the economy in the New England Colonies different from the economy in the Middle Colonies? A. The settlers in the New England Colonies were able to grow abundant crops in the rich soil there B. The settlers in the Middle Colonies used resources from the forest to trade for needed goods C. Religious beliefs affected the type and amount of work people could do D. The Middle Colonies lacked strong leadership to keep settlers focused on their work

Answer 1

The best answer to why the economy in the New England Colonies was different from the economy in the Middle Colonies is C. Religious beliefs affected the type and amount of work people could do.

In the New England Colonies, the economy was heavily influenced by Puritan values, which emphasized hard work, community, and religious devotion. This shaped their practices around farming, fishing, and trade. The harsh climate and rocky soil also meant that agriculture was less prominent, leading to a diversified economy including fishing, shipbuilding, and commerce.

In contrast, the Middle Colonies had a more diverse economy that included fertile land suitable for farming, leading to the growth of cash crops, but they also benefited from a mix of religious and ethnic backgrounds that fostered significantly different social and economic structures compared to New England.

While other options may have elements of truth, they do not best encapsulate the fundamental economic differences between these two regions.