Middle Colonies

Middle Colonies

By: Chris² and Perry

Colonies

• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware

New York - Foundation

• Dutch - 1624
• New Netherland
• Conquered by English – 1664
• Renamed New York

New York - Government

• Proprietary colony
• Became royal colony
• 1^ST governor (Nicolls)
• Terms of capitulation
• Modeled town meetings after New England
• Model for government today
• “The Duke’s Laws”
• People didn’t have to participate
• No religious test – citizenship
• Ready for rebellion – 1681(Assembly)
• Assembly elected – 1683
• 18 men elected by people
• Made “Charter of Liberties”
• Reps. Coordinate with governor and council
• No taxes laid without consent
• All laws subject to Duke’s approval
• James II came to power
• Became royal colony
• Abolished New York assembly

New Jersey - Foundation

• Dutch settled 1^St
• Settlements insignificant
• Charles II grant to James the Duke of York – 1664

New Jersey – Government

• “Concessions” granted by Carteret (1^St governor)
• Granted religious liberty to Englishmen
• Assembly elected by the people
• Divided into East Jersey (Carteret) and West Jersey (Quakers)
• East Jersey – Strict laws (Puritans)
• West Jersey – Mild government
• Carteret Died
• East Jersey sold at auction
• Robert Barclay became Governor
• James II united East and West Jersey to New York and New England
• King fell
• New Jersey in anarchy
• Finally became royal province
• Queen Anne gave New York’s Governor possession of New Jersey (36 yrs.) then split

Pennsylvania – Foundation

• King Charles granted 40,000 sq. miles to William Penn
• largest grant to single man

Pennsylvania - Government

• William Penn (Governor)
• Could establish courts, appoint judges, train soldiers, wage wars, make law
• King retained veto power
• English Parliament had taxation power
• 1683 – Proprietor gave law making power to people (Council)

Delaware - Foundation

• English conquered New Amsterdam in 1664 and gained Delaware
• Duke of York’s property
• Sold to William Penn
• Charter from crown – 1681

Delaware - Government

• Same as New York
• “The Duke’s Laws”
• Religion
• Diversity – Mennonites, Huguenots, Baptists, Jews, Lutherans, Quakers, Anglicans
• “pressure cooker”
• Best interest to get along.

Society

• Brick houses
• Life-span 25 yrs.
• Ship related jobs as well as farming, milling, metal industries
• Schools ran by church
• Fun
• Men played cards
• Women gardened
• Both danced

Economy

• “Bread Basket Colonies”
• Corn, Wheat, Rye, Potatoes, Peas, Flax
• Drank milk and Whiskey – water impure
• 1^st to use stoves to heat houses

posted by Jeffrey @ Tuesday, October 25, 2005