Name: ______________________
Colonial America
EQ: What do I know about the 13 original colonies? How did the geography and climate affect the economic activities of each
colonial region? How were the lives of the colonists similar to, and different from, one another?
1. Describe life in the New England Colonies (jobs, resources/specialization, trade)
Colonists spent a lot of time fishing, building ships. They had an abundance of fish to trade and lumber to make ships
and homes for the colonists. They had enough lumber to use for trading as well. They farmed in order to provide food
for their families but couldn’t grow a surplus to use for trading.
2. Why was farming not an option for New England colonists? How did geography and climate play a part
in that?
The NE colonists experienced cold winters and short summers. They had rocky soil and a short growing season.
3. What was the cash crop in Jamestown? TOBACCO
4. Describe life in the Middle Colonies (jobs, resources/specialization, trade)
Colonists were busy trading in busy ports. Artisans were teaching apprentices a trade. They also farmed.
5. List two cash crops that were grown in the Southern Colonies.
INDIGO
and
COTTON
6. Why was farming easy in the Southern Colonies? How did geography and climate play a part in that?
Farming was easy due to rich, fertile soil, a long growing season, and the many waterways were used for easy
transport of crops.
7. Describe life in the Southern Colonies (jobs, resources/specialization, trade)
They spent a lot of time farming on plantations because they had a good climate and a long growing season.
Plantations were far apart and traveling was difficult. Children of the wealthy plantation owners had teachers.
However, many children were uneducated.
8. What is the difference between a slave and an indentured servant?
A slave was a person brought in from another country and forced to work against his/her will, and an indentured
servant was a free person working for a specific amount of time in exchange for a ticket to America.
9. How did specialization improve the lives of colonists in the New England colonies?
Because the NE colonies had an abundance of cod and lumber, they specialized in fishing, lumbering, and ship
building. Colonists were able to trade these products with other colonies and England.
10.
How did specialization improve the lives of colonists in the Middle colonies?
The Middle Colonies had fertile soil for farming crops such as wheat, many easily accessible ports for trading, many
artisans and apprentices learning specific crafts, and an abundance of forests for hunting. Therefore, they specialized in
hunting, farming, and specific trades, like blacksmiths.
11.
How did specialization improve the lives of colonists in the Southern colonies?
Because the Southern Colonies had fertile soil and a long growing season, colonists main way of life became farming
tobacco, rice, and indigo and trading those crops with other colonies and England.
12.
How did William Penn display the characteristics of honesty, patriotism, courage, and
trustworthiness? Use specific examples from his life.
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13.
How did James Oglethorpe display the characteristics of honesty, patriotism, courage, and
trustworthiness? Use specific examples from his life.
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14.
How did Anne Hutchinson display the characteristics of honesty, patriotism, courage, and
trustworthiness? Use specific examples from her life.
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15.
How did Ben Franklin display the characteristics of honesty, patriotism, courage,
trustworthiness? Use specific examples from his life.
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and