Economic Focus:
* New England Colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire): Primarily focused on subsistence farming and trade. They had rocky soil unsuitable for large-scale agriculture, but thrived on fishing, whaling, shipbuilding, and trade with Europe. Religious freedom was a driving force in their founding, leading to the development of strong town meetings and self-governance.
* Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware): Mixed economies based on farming (wheat, barley), trade, and manufacturing. These colonies had fertile soil and diverse populations, leading to greater economic opportunities and tolerance. Pennsylvania, founded by William Penn, emphasized religious freedom and tolerance, attracting diverse settlers.
* Southern Colonies (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia): Focused on large-scale agriculture, especially tobacco, rice, and indigo. They relied heavily on slave labor to cultivate vast plantations. These colonies had a strong hierarchical society with a wealthy planter class and a large indentured servant and enslaved population.
Social Structure:
* New England: Emphasized community and self-governance. Religion played a major role, with Puritan beliefs shaping laws and social norms. Education was valued, leading to the establishment of early universities like Harvard.
* Middle Colonies: More diverse than New England, with settlers from various European backgrounds. They had a stronger merchant class and a more egalitarian society than the South.
* Southern Colonies: Characterized by large landowners, a powerful aristocracy, and a large enslaved population. A strong hierarchy existed, with limited opportunities for social mobility.
Relationship with Native Americans:
* New England: Colonists often viewed Native Americans as obstacles to their expansion and engaged in conflict (King Philip's War). Some efforts were made to convert Native Americans to Christianity, but assimilation was often forced.
* Middle Colonies: Colonists engaged in trade and co-existence with Native Americans, but tensions arose over land ownership and resource competition.
* Southern Colonies: Colonists relied on Native Americans for trade and alliances initially. As the colonies expanded, conflicts escalated, leading to displacement and violence. The rise of the plantation system further strained relations, as colonists sought land for large-scale agriculture.
Political Development:
* New England: Strong emphasis on self-governance and representative democracy. The Mayflower Compact was a foundational document, establishing principles of shared decision-making.
* Middle Colonies: More varied political structures, reflecting the diverse origins of their settlers. New York, under Dutch rule, had a different system than Pennsylvania, founded on Quaker principles.
* Southern Colonies: Greater emphasis on aristocratic rule and land ownership. The House of Burgesses in Virginia was the first representative assembly in the colonies, but power remained concentrated among wealthy planters.
Overall: The differences between the English colonies shaped their development and ultimately contributed to the diverse and complex history of the United States.