II. The Middle Colonies
8.1
• The English created New York and New
Jersey from former Dutch territory.
Characteristics of the Middle Colonies
Social
Economic
• New York: Dutch Influence
• Farming of staple crops
• New Jersey: diverse
population
• Slaves and indentured
servants important sources
of labor
• Pennsylvania: founded by
Quakers
• Trade
A. New York
1. Dutch founded New
Netherland in 1613 as
fur trading post
B. New Jersey
2. New Amsterdam was
center of fur trade
1. English take control in
1664
3. Peter Stuyvesant
led the colony from
1647-1664
2. The colony occupied
land between the
Hudson and Delaware
rivers
4. English captured
colony in 1664 and
renamed it New York
3. Had diverse
population, including
Dutch, Swedes, Finns,
and Scots
C. William Penn established the
colony of Pennsylvania.
1. Society of Friends, or Quakers, was one of
largest religious groups in New Jersey
2. Quakers, who supported nonviolence and
religious tolerance, were persecuted
3. William Penn founded Pennsylvania, a larger
colony for Quakers that provided a safe home.
4. Penn limited his power, established an elected
assembly, and promised religious freedom to all
Christians.
D. The economy of the middle
colonies was supported by trade
and staple crops.
1. Middle colonies had good climate and rich soil
to grow staple crops, crops that are always
needed
2. Crops included wheat, barley, and oats
3. There were slaves, but indentured servants
were a larger source of labor
4. Trade to Britain and the West Indies was
important to the economy of middle colonies
E. Women’s Contributions
1. Ran farms and businesses, such as
clothing stores, drugstores, and bakeries
2. Some were nurses and midwives
3. Most worked primarily in the home
4. Married women managed households
and raised children