Social Studies Notes

1. 6.2 – LIFE IN THE
MIDDLE COLONIES

2. A Mix of People
◦ A mix of Dutch,
French, Belgian,
and Swedish
backgrounds.
◦ Immigrant – a
person who
moves to a new
country to make a
better life.

3. Great Awakening
◦ The Great Awakening was a time of
renewed interest in religion.
◦ Movement was lead by George Whitefield
◦ Sermons were emotional and personal
◦ Tolerating others became important
◦ Supported women and slaves as valued
members
◦ Differing opinions led to the creation of
new churches

4. Religion and Social Life
◦ Many different religious
groups lived and worked
together
◦ Free time was spent at
dances, concerts, and racing
horses
◦ Biggest town event was a
barn raising!
◦ The whole barn was built in a
day!

5. Barn Raising
Time Lapse
Hundreds of people can make
the task take just a few hours!
Only payment would be lunch
and dinner.

6. Philadelphia Grows
◦ William Penn specifically
designed Philadelphia for
growth
◦ Ben Franklin lived in
Philadelphia
◦ Set up fire department
◦ Set up a hospital
◦ Set up militia to protect the
colony
◦ Created Poor Richard’s Almanac,
helping farmers predict weather

7. Things to
notice:
The flag on the
ship. Why does it
look this way?
What do the large
ships show us
about the middle
colonies and
Philadelphia?

8. Discussion Questions:
◦ What reasons would immigrants want to come to the Middle
Colonies?
◦ How were church services different in the middle colonies than in the
New England Colonies?
◦ What relationship does the diversity of the Middle and New England
colonies have with the belief in this region that slavery was wrong?
◦ Would you rather in Philadelphia or a farming community outside of
town? Explain your choice.