REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

in Colonial America

LAND

NORTH:

narrow coastal plain

rocky soil

Appalachian Mountains not far from coast; natural barrier for population

SOUTH:

wide coastal plain

rich, fertile soil

Appalachian Mountains farther west; natural barrier for population

CLIMATE

North:harsh wintersshort summers

So…Some subsistence (small-scale) farming Families provide labor

South:mild winterslong summers

So…Many large-scale farms (plantations)

Need large labor force

RIVERS

North:

mostly narrow, shallow, rapid-filled

mostly not navigable

So…

South:many broad, deep, slow-movingmany navigable (accessible by ocean-going vessels)

So…

RIVERS

North:

difficult to travel inland

seaports used for trade

towns grow at natural harbors

South:rivers allow easy access inlandtrade takes place along riversfewer cities grow along coast or inland

RIVERS

North:

Roads needed for inland trade, but expensive, so most population stays along coast

South:

Rivers are “roads”

Population spreads out, so homes farther apart

MIDDLE COLONIES

Shorter winters than New England

Fertile soil good for cash crops, especially grain

So…

“breadbasket” of colonies

MIDDLE COLONIES

Cities grow up at excellent harbors:Philadelphia, at mouth of Delaware River

New York, at mouth of Hudson River

BACKCOUNTRY

Climate varies by latitudeIn/near Appalachian MountainsRushing streams“fall line” makes river transportation difficult

So…

BACKCOUNTRY

So settlers became…

Isolated

Self-sufficient

Suspicious of outsiders

BACKCOUNTRY

Dense forests

So…

Hunting

Trade with Native Americans

Plenty of materials for cabins, fences

In which colony or region would you settle?

Intro: name colony or region of your choiceBody:

explain two or more positive features of colony/region

Give one reason for choosing your colony or region over another OR make an “even though” statement (tells negative feature of your choice)

Closing: restate intro