Southern Colonies
Location
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Reasons for Founding
Virginia (Jamestown) - Settlers came looking for gold.
Maryland – Many Catholics came looking for religious freedom.
Carolina and Georgia – Settled so England could gain more control the Southeastern part of North America. The Spanish were currently controlling Florida. The English wanted to create a buffer so the Spanish could not claim more land.
Georgia – This was a place of refuge (safe place) for colonists that had gone in debt.
Geography and Resources
Like the middle colonies, the southern colonies contained the Application Mountains and many harbors. The warm and humid weather and rich soil made the southern colonies perfect for farming. There were tidewaters (waters in the rivers rise with the tides). There was plenty of rain which allowed farmers to have a long growing season (7-8 months a year). The southern colonies specialized in cash crops which included tobacco, sugar, indigo, rice, and cotton.
Industries and Occupation
Southern colonies were known for their plantations, but they still contained many small farms. People that owned plantations were known as planters. Plantation owners had slaves and indentured servants to farm the land. Overseers were hired to watch over and manage the slaves as they worked.
Government
Colonists wanted a voice in creating laws. Virginia set up first legislature of the colonies. Representatives served in House of Burgesses Legislature is group of people with the power to make or change laws.
Religion
Catholics who were persecuted in England came to Maryland. Maryland passed the Toleration Act-law that said all Christians could worship freely. Church's were a main site for social gatherings.
People
Many indentured servants and slaves worked on plantations. Colonists fought with Native Americans over land. Families of planters/landowners lived easy lives. They were educated at home. Families on small farms worked hard, women and children helped with chores. Children were poorly educated.
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Reasons for Founding
Virginia (Jamestown) - Settlers came looking for gold.
Maryland – Many Catholics came looking for religious freedom.
Carolina and Georgia – Settled so England could gain more control the Southeastern part of North America. The Spanish were currently controlling Florida. The English wanted to create a buffer so the Spanish could not claim more land.
Georgia – This was a place of refuge (safe place) for colonists that had gone in debt.
Geography and Resources
Like the middle colonies, the southern colonies contained the Application Mountains and many harbors. The warm and humid weather and rich soil made the southern colonies perfect for farming. There were tidewaters (waters in the rivers rise with the tides). There was plenty of rain which allowed farmers to have a long growing season (7-8 months a year). The southern colonies specialized in cash crops which included tobacco, sugar, indigo, rice, and cotton.
Industries and Occupation
Southern colonies were known for their plantations, but they still contained many small farms. People that owned plantations were known as planters. Plantation owners had slaves and indentured servants to farm the land. Overseers were hired to watch over and manage the slaves as they worked.
Government
Colonists wanted a voice in creating laws. Virginia set up first legislature of the colonies. Representatives served in House of Burgesses Legislature is group of people with the power to make or change laws.
Religion
Catholics who were persecuted in England came to Maryland. Maryland passed the Toleration Act-law that said all Christians could worship freely. Church's were a main site for social gatherings.
People
Many indentured servants and slaves worked on plantations. Colonists fought with Native Americans over land. Families of planters/landowners lived easy lives. They were educated at home. Families on small farms worked hard, women and children helped with chores. Children were poorly educated.
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