Characteristics of the Three Colonial Regions
Comparing the Three Colonial Regions
| Category | New England Colonies | Middle Colonies | Southern Colonies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Britain | Diverse: Dutch, German, Swedish, French Huguenot refugees | Britain |
| Class/Social Level | Merchant class | Working class | Aristocrats, high class |
| Typical Jobs/Employment | Merchants, shipbuilding, small town businesses | Artisans (making own goods), factories, small shops, farmers | Plantation owners (independent wealth/investment), large-scale agriculture |
| Size of Landholdings | Small plots, family farms | Medium-sized farms producing abundant grain | Large plantations (often with indentured servants or enslaved people) |
| Religion | Puritans | Quakers (Principles: simplicity, truth, peace), diverse faiths | Church of England (Anglican) |
| Social Character | Serious, focused on basic needs and worship of God | More tolerant and diverse; less strict than Puritans | Emphasis on social hierarchy, etiquette, and expectations |
| Additional Notes | Puritans: Attempted to reform or “purify” the Church of England.
| Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York were nicknamed the “bread colonies” because grain was the major crop. Highly diverse population. |
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