Download Middle Colonies

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* Black Death – devastated England
* 1400s-1500s – rebirth
* Growth of cities, population, trade
* Printing press – spread of ideas
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* Settlers from England founded colonies
* religious tolerance and political representation
* Diversity increased
* Puritans – English dissenters; wanted to reform
church
* Hard work, rep. government, education (Bible)
* Mayflower Compact – first expression of self-rule
* Representative government
* Economy – fishing, lumber, shipbuilding and
trading
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* Religious tolerance and ethnic diversity
* Good rivers, fertile soil, mild winters
* Quakers – religious freedom and equality
* Men rule themselves
* Only white males could vote in Rep. Assemblies
* Farming-wheat, barley, and oats (Bread Basket)
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* Jamestown (1607) – first permanent English Colony
* Fortune seekers, African slaves, religious refugees,
the poor
* Act of Tolerance – forbade religious persecution
* Further south – cheaper land
* Virginia House of Burgesses – first representative govt.
* Economy – Plantations – large farms, self sufficient;
relied on slave labor
* Tobacco, rice, indigo
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