The Middle Colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware were established for different reasons, such as trade in New York and religious freedom in Pennsylvania. The economy was based on farming various cash crops and fishing. Quakers settled in Pennsylvania seeking religious tolerance. The Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade and shipping to benefit England, angering the colonists.

2. Reason Founded
 The Middle Colonies include New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
 New York- originally a Dutch trade post until the English took
over
 New Jersey- founded by George Carteret and Lord John
Berkley as a gift from the king
 Pennsylvania- founded by William Penn, he searched for a
religious haven for all people, especially Quakers.
 Delaware- founded by the Swedes for trade and land

3. Economy
 The Economy is mainly based on farming. This region
has rich soil and a great climate; warm summers and
cold winters, so almost anything can grow here. A lot of
wheat was grown in the Middle Colonies, which earned
it the nickname the “breadbasket”. There were many
cash crops, so unlike the New England Colonies, the
Middle Colonies grew one type of crop then traded with
each other. Many people also fished by the harbors
and deep rivers. Many major cities such as New York
City and Philadelphia were established for trade near
the excellent harbors.

4. Quakers
 The Quakers were a group of Christians that had
different beliefs than other Christians. The thought
every human being was equal, they didn’t need regular
church service, favored peace over war, and wanted
tolerance/acceptance.
William Penn Quaker Meeting

5. Navigation Acts
 The Navigation Acts were rules/regulations for
who/how the colonies could trade. The four laws were
the colonies were forbidden to sell tobacco, wood or
sugar to other ports beside English ports, all shipping
had to be done in English ships or ships made in the
colonies, European imports to the colonies had to pass
English ports, and English officials were to tax any
colonial goods not shipped to England. This benefited
the mother country, but made the colonists angry that
they were being restricted.