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Year founded: 1623.

Founder(s): John Mason, granted land by the Council for New England.

Purpose: Economic (fishing, timber, land).

Important cities:

Portsmouth – became a key port for shipbuilding and trade.

Exeter – known for town meetings and local self-government.

Region: New England Colonies.

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Year founded: 1732

Founder(s): James Oglethorpe and the Trustees for the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia

Purpose for founding colony

Buffer colony between Spanish Florida and South Carolina

Place for debtors and the poor of England to start over

Originally banned slavery and rum, though this changed by 1750s

Capital and other important cities

Savannah (capital)

Augusta.

Region : Southern Colonies

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Year founded : 1607

Founder(s): Virginia Company of London (Jamestown founded by John Smith and settlers)

Purpose for founding colony: Profit through gold, later tobacco cultivation; England’s first permanent colony.

Capital and other important cities

Williamsburg (capital in 1760s)

Jamestown (earlier capital), Norfolk

Region it belongs to: Southern Colonies

Map: Located on the Atlantic coast, between Maryland (north) and North Carolina (south).

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Year founded: Founded in 1663

Founder(s): Nathaniel Batts and other colonists from Virginia

Purpose: It was to recognize the efforts of eight nobleman, who helped King Charles II reclaim his throne, by giving them the Province of Carolina.

Capital and important cities: Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina, and is where NASCAR is, one of US's biggest financial hubs.

Region: North Carolina is located at the Coastal Plain in the east, the Piedmont in the center, and Mountains in the west.

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Year founded: 1607

Founder(s): Virginia Company of London (Jamestown founded by John Smith and settlers)

Purpose for founding colony: Profit through gold, later tobacco cultivation; England’s first permanent colony

Capital and other important cities: Williamsburg (capital in 1760s), Jamestown (earlier capital), Norfolk

Region : Southern Colonies

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Year founded: 1632 (charter granted), first settlement at St. Mary’s in 1634.

Founder: George Clavert (first original founder; planned and got the charter) Cecil Calvert (practical founder; established the colony)

Purposes for founding colony:

Established as a haven for English Catholics facing persecution in Anglican England, but also for profit through land and trade

Capital and important cities:

St. Mary’s City – first capital and original settlement

Annapolis – later became the capital and a key port city

Baltimore – grew into an important shipping and trade center

Region: Southern Colonies

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Year founded: 1638

Founder: Originally Swedish settlers led by Peter Minuit (former director of New Netherland)

Purposes for founding colony:

The Swedish originally founded Delaware as a fur trading and agricultural settlement

Under English control, it served both economic and strategic purposes, being part of William Penn’s territory for access to the Atlantic

Capital and important cities:

Wilmington – first permanent European settlement in the region, center of Swedish, then Dutch, and later English control

Dover – later became the colonial and eventually state capital

Region: Middle Colonies

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Year founded: 1681

Founder: English Quaker William Penn

Purpose for founding colony: After receiving the grant for Pennsylvania by King Charles 2 to repay the debt owned by his father, Penn founded the colony to create a sanctuary for Quakers and other religious minorities facing persecution in England and Europe.

Capital and other important cities: Philadelphia, or the City of Brotherly Love, was the capital of the colony. Other cities included Chester, the site of Penn's landing and Lancaster for being a center in governance.

Region it belongs to: The colony was part of the Middle colonies.

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Year founded: 1664

Founders: Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret

Purpose for founding colony: Lord Berkeley received the land from his brother, the Duke of York. It was named New Jersey in honor of Sir George Carteret, who defended the Isle of Jersey during the English civil War.

Capital and other important cities: The first capital was Elizabethtown. After the union, East Jersey's capital was Perth Amboy and West Jersey's capital was Burlington. When the colony became a state in 1790, Trenton became the official capital.

Region: The New Jersey colony was part of the Middle Colonies.

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year founded : 1624

founders : Dutch colonists such as Peter Minuit

purpose : valuable location as a port and commerce trade center (beaver fur)

Important Cities

New Amsterdam (New York City) : important for fur trade and other exchanges

Albany : also a trade center + linked European settlements to the colony

region : New England colonies

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Year founded: 1636

Founder: Roger Williams

Purposes for founding colony: Williams wanted to create a haven for religious freedom and build a community based on a separation of church and state.

Capital and other important cities: The Rhode Island Colony did not have a single capital but shared its governmental functions between Providence and Newport. Providence was the center of the colony and had the Providence Plantations. Newport was also a significant settlement, making the colony a dual-capital system.

Region it belongs to: It belonged to the New England colonies.

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Year founded: 1636.

Founders: Thomas Hooker and Puritans from Massachusetts.

Purpose: Political freedom – Hooker believed more people should have the right to vote, not just church members.

Important cities:

Hartford – became the capital and political center, where the Fundamental Orders of 1639 (early constitution) were adopted.

New Haven – a major Puritan settlement, with strong religious community values.

Region: New England Colonies.

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Year founded: 1620 (Plymouth); merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630).

Founder(s): Pilgrims (Separatists) and Puritans under John Winthrop, an English Puritan lawyer, founder and former governor of the colony.

Purpose: Religious freedom, establishment of a Puritan society.

Capital and important cities:

Boston – became the major port and political hub of New England, central to trade and later revolutionary activity.

Plymouth – site of the Mayflower landing and early Pilgrim settlement.

Salem – known for Puritan roots and the Salem witch trials (1692), showing cultural/religious strictness.

Region: New England Colonies.

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Key resources/industries

Rice and indigo (main plantation crops by 1760s)

Timber and naval stores (pine tar, pitch, lumber)

Silk (experimented, but not very successful)

Trade with Native Americans (skins, deerskins)

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During the colonial period, South Carolina's economy was primarily based on agriculture and crops. Their biggest source of incomes were rice and indigo, which were grown in plantation. The cash-crop economy allowed the entire society to completely focus and specialize on these crops, while simultaneously actively trade manufactured goods. Because of this, they were able to maximize their trade profit due to the fact that opportunity costs are most efficiently reduced when trade partners are specialized in what they trade and export.

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In the 1700s, North Carolina's economy was very different than it is now. Their primary exports were naval stores which were required across multiple intercontinental navies. Their biggest buyers were from the Great Britain, as Britain's navy was the most resourceful and powerful in Europe. Their products were usually turpentine, rosin, tar, and pitch. Plankings needed for building decks and masts were also exported, and many other things as long as they were components of ships.

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Key resources/industries

Tobacco (main cash crop)

Wheat and corn (increasing in 1760s)

Timber, naval stores (tar, pitch)

Small ironworks and trade through ports (like Norfolk)

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Maryland’s economy was based on plantation agriculture, especially tobacco, which was the main cash crop and exported to England. Farmers also grew corn, wheat, and raised livestock for local use. The Chesapeake Bay supported fishing, crabbing, and oyster harvesting. Timber from forests supplied shipbuilding and barrel-making. Small industries like flour mills and ironworks developed in some areas. Trade connected Maryland to England and the West Indies, where the colony exchanged tobacco and grain for manufactured goods, tools, and textiles

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Delaware’s economy was centered on fertile farmland that produced wheat, corn, and other grains, which made the colony part of the Breadbasket Colonies. Farmers also raised livestock such as cattle and hogs, providing food for both local use and export. Timber from the forests supported shipbuilding and barrel making, while small industries like flour mills and ironworks processed raw materials. Trade played an important role, as Delaware exported flour, grain, and meat to the West Indies and Britain, and in return imported textiles and manufactured goods

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The Pennsylvania Colony had abundant natural resources such as fertile farmland for grains and agriculture and forests for timber. There were rich deposits of iron ore and other metals such as lead and copper.

Diverse industries were based on the natural resources of the Pennsylvania colony. Important industries included agriculture, forestry, shipbuilding, metalworking, and manufacturing. Another important industry was papermaking, which was closely related to printing and publishing.

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The New Jersey colony had fertile land for grains like wheat, timber from forests, and abundant livestock. Another resource they had were iron ores that was crucial for the growing colony.

Some of the industries in this colony were agriculture, lumber, textiles, shipbuilding, and iron production.

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mainly commerce and trade

especially beaver fur

functioned as an international commerce center

agriculture : fertile land --> produced crops like wheat, corns, and grains

were exported to England

natural resources : timber, iron ore

relatively less significant

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The Rhode Island colony had farms across the colony for profitable agriculture such as dairy products and crops. They also had a rich supply of timber thanks to the abundant forests, allowing the development of local industries. Maritime trade was centered in Newport, which traded various goods like enslaved people and fish.

The colony also built ships for its own needs as well as exports. They also practiced distilling rum from Caribbean molasses. Some of the manufactured goods produced were candles and furniture.

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Farming included corn, wheat, and livestock, earning it the nickname “breadbasket of New England.”

Other industries: shipbuilding, fishing, and fur trade.

Timber and iron were also valuable resources.

Farmers and merchants traded with the West Indies (rum, sugar, molasses).

Reliance on British trade markets meant that mercantilist restrictions and new taxes (like the Stamp Act of 1765) caused economic frustration.

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Economy was driven by timber, shipbuilding, and fishing (especially cod).

Tall white pines were cut for the British navy’s ship masts.

Fur trading also contributed in frontier regions.

Portsmouth became a center for shipbuilding and coastal trade.

British mercantilist policies restricted profits, creating resentment that fed into Revolutionary anger.

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demographics

English settlers (coastal)

Scotch Highlanders and Germans (Salzburgers) in rural settlements

African slaves (increasing after 1750, vital to rice and indigo plantations)

Creek and Cherokee tribes present inland

Religions: Anglican (official church), but also Lutheran Salzburgers, Methodist and Baptist influence later.

Famous foods: Rice dishes, corn-based foods, peach dishes, seafood from coast (shrimp, fish, crab).

Cultural practices/dress: Plantation elite followed English fashion; settlers and Highland Scots wore simpler homespun clothing; frontier settlers dressed similarly to Virginia’s.

Accent types: Mix of English, Scots-Irish, and German-influenced frontier dialects.

Architecture types: Savannah’s grid-planned city squaresGeorgian-style houses in towns; log cabins and wooden houses on the frontier; plantation houses on the coast.

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The most important keyword in South Carolina's culture is wealth. As said in the previous section, South Carolina benefited tremendously from cash crops grown in plantations. Because of South Carolina's active participation in trade, it allowed the state to rise as the most important trading port. However, just like any region that follows a semi-feudalism structure, the social hierarchy and slavery was extreme. The plantations owners were the people who were always on top of others while the rich-poor wealth gap kept growing. Culture-wise, their culture was mostly based on Britain, in especially in religion as the Church of England served as their official Church.

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North Carolina's culture was shaped by many different European settlers. These included English, Scotch-Irish, German, and Swiss. They together developed a farming society where individuals' primary goals were to sell supply rather than becoming a huge rich by constructing large plantations. This resulted in the society becoming for individualistic, where members of society did not heavily rely on a strong authority. Many African Americans resided in North Carolina and influenced their culture such as music, cuisine, and religion. To summarize, the most significant factor that contributed to the establishment of North Carolina's culture was diverse origins. With people with different ethnicity gathered together, they could create a unique culture.

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The colony was made mostly of rocky terrain, which limited its farming abilities.

Their economy was based on maritime industries:

Shipbuilding, lumber, and fishing(cod or whaling)

The economy was also heavily reliant on trade, with merchants in cities like Boston connecting with global markets.

Boston Harbor - a key center of transatlantic trade.

British mercantilist policies and taxation created significant economic pressure

Led to events like the Boston Tea Party (1773) and the eventual push for independence.

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demographics

English settlers (majority)

African slaves (large population, especially in plantations)

Scotch-Irish and German settlers in western/frontier areas

Native tribes (Powhatan Confederacy had declined by then but still present inland)

Religions: Anglican, Baptists and Presbyterians growing in frontier regions

Famous foods: Cornbread, ham, venison, Chesapeake oysters, stews.

Cultural practices/dress: Wealthy planters dressed in European-style clothing (wigs, waistcoats, gowns); frontier settlers wore homespun clothing and moccasins.

Accent types: Tidewater English accent (precursor to modern Southern accent). Frontier Scots-Irish twang.

Architecture

wealthy class : Georgian style brick house

+ plantation manor houses

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Maryland’s population was mixed, with English settlers, African slaves working on plantations, and smaller groups of Scotch Irish and Germans. Catholics lived with Protestants, and although the colony was originally meant as a refuge for Catholics, Protestants were the majority during the time. Religion included Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Baptist communities. Food centered on cornmeal, pork, seafood from the bay, and bread. Clothing followed typical colonial style, planters often wore finer English fashions, while common farmers dressed simply. Enslaved Africans preserved cultural traditions through music and foodways. The way of speaking was influenced by Southern English accents but also mixed with African and European immigrant speech. Architecture ranged from large brick plantation houses and Anglican churches to simpler wooden homes and barns

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Delaware had a diverse population. There were English settlers, but also Dutch, Swedes, Germans, and Scotch Irish. African slaves were also in the colony, working on farms and in homes, and Native groups were being pushed out of the area. Religion was varied such as: Quakers, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Lutherans were common, showing the colony’s tolerance. Food came from farms: bread, corn dishes, pork, and dairy. Clothing was typical colonial style, men wore breeches and waistcoats with tricorn hats, while women wore long dresses with aprons. People spoke mostly English, but German and Dutch influences shaped the way some communities talked. Houses were often built from brick or stone with Dutch and Swedish influence, along with simple farmhouses and churches.

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Demographics: There was a significant number of Germans, Scots-Irish, and English settlers. Smaller proportions of Africans as well as other European groups were also present in the colony.

Religions: The Pennsylvania colony was religiously diverse, especially because of its founding on religious tolerance. Key religious groups included the Quakers, German Sects, Prebysterians, and Baptists.

Famous foods: At the time, the basis of daily meals was wheat and corn. Other foods consumed were meat such as pork and beef. Popular drinks included cider, beer, wine, and coffee.

Cultural practices and dress: There was high religious and ethnic diversity, with people practicing the freedom of worship. Many colonists lived on farms. Quakers had a significant influence in this colony, shaping its direction. The wealthy wore elaborate, wide skirted silk gowns and ruffled shirts with powdered wigs. However for the working class and the Quakers, they wore bedgowns and loose-fitting dresses.

Accent types: The Pennsylvania Colony featured a diverse range of accents due to its significant German and English speaking populations. German immigrants' dialects mixed with English speech, creating a mix of linguistic patterns in the colony.

Architecture types: The Georgian style, which featured symmetrical, formal buildings were popular. Another style used to built houses was the vernacular, including English and German influenced designs using logs and brick.

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Key demographics: In the New Jersey colony, there was a significant population of Dutch, English, and Scots-Irish people. It was the one of the most diverse colonies, containing migrant groups such as the French Huguenots.

Religions: The New Jersey colony was religiously diverse, with Presbyterians, Quakers, Dutch Reformed, Congregationalists, and Baptists.

Famous foods: The New Jersey colony was known as the "breadbasket" colony due to its large exports of wheat, corn, and other grains. Sweeteners such as sugar and spices were luxuries.

Cultural practices and dress: New Jersey had religious diversity, and daily life was divided by gender with women managing households while men farmed or worked. Most children received a home-based education. Alcohol was a common beverage. Wealthy people wore three piece suits and robes. Working class individuals owned simpler versions of those garments.

Accent types: Because of its diverse demographic, there was no single New Jersey Colony accent. Because of its closeness to New York City and Philadelphia, they were influenced by those cities as well.

Architecture types: New Jersey architecture had a Georgian style. Dutch colonial styles such as gambrel roofs and Dutch doors also persisted in areas such as the Hudson valley. Wealthy landowners had larger, symmetrical homes.

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demography : very diverse

Dutch, English, German, Irish, French, African slaves

religion : became tolerant after the English colonists took control from the Dutch

coexistence of Dutch reformed, Quaker, and Jewish

food (no famous food / dish)

grains : wheat, corn, oat

vegetables : onion, cabbage, carrot

meat : cow, sheep, pig, fish

cultural practices / dress

women : long gowns called mantel

men : tan breeches

accent : highly influenced by Dutch and British settlers

ex) drop the r sound and short a sound

architecture : features two major styles

Dutch : gambrel roofs and Dutch doors

English : symmetry, brickwork

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Demographics: A majority of the Rhode Island Colony were English Protestants. There were a significant number of enslaved Africans and some other diverse European groups such as Irish Protestants and French people.

Religions: The Rhode Island Colony was religiously diverse and tolerant. The dominant religious group was the Baptists, but other religions included Quakers, Congregationalists, and Anglicans.

Famous Foods: Some foods popular at the time included corn, venison, and wild game. In modern day history, the state is known for iconic dishes involving seafood such as clam cakes.

Cultural practices and dress: Rhode Island practiced religious tolerance and the separation of the Church and State. Also, they had a diverse demographic. Other practices were slavery and port city traders. Wealthy people wore silk gowns, whereas working class wore simple homespun linen dresses. However, this also varied by the person's origins.

Accent types: The dominant accent in the Rhode Island Colony was probably a form of Eastern New England English, characterized by dropping the "r" sound.

Architecture types: Georgian style designs were common in the Rhode Island colony, especially in wealthy merchant cities like Newport. They had gambrel roofs, pedimented doorways, and wood frames.

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People: Mainly English Puritans; some Dutch traders and local Native groups.

Religion: Congregational Church guided community and political life.

Food: Maple syrup, cider, bread; farm-based diet from fertile river valley.

Accent: Rural Yankee accent, nasal and plain compared to coastal Boston speech.

Dress: Most wore practical homespun linen and wool; wealthier families adopted modest Georgian styles.

Architecture: Simple wooden houses, small town churches, meetinghouses in farming villages.

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Demographics: Predominantly English settlers, with Native Americans and a few enslaved Africans.

Religion: Puritan majority, but less restrictive than Massachusetts.

Foods: Seafood stews, corn-based breads, cider.

Cultural practices: Town meetings, community reliance on fishing and timber trades.

Accent: Early New England colonial dialect.

Dress: Coastal elites wore Georgian wigs, silks, and lace, while inland settlers relied on homespun wool, linen, and fur-lined coats for harsh winters.

Architecture: Wooden colonial homes, small harbor towns.

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People: Mostly English Puritans; some Native groups and enslaved Africans.

Religion: Congregationalist Church was dominant, but less strict than in the 1600s.

Food: Cornbread, chowder, baked beans; imported tea and molasses.

Accent: Boston speech dropped the “r” (“cah” for car); countryside had a Yankee twang.

Dress: Boston elites wore Georgian wigs and silks; farmers used homespun linen and wool.

Architecture: Clapboard houses, Puritan meetinghouses, brick buildings in Boston.