Compare and Contrast Essay: New England, The Middle and The Southern Colonies

When the Southern, Middle, and New England colonies were in the early stages of development, there were many in which they differed. Geographically they differed by where they were on the map, as well as the natural resources in which they were provided with. The different regions of colonies had very different economic standings, the Southern colonies were agriculturally centered, the Middle colonies were harbor centered, and the New England colonies were more manufacturally centered. Finally, their social structure differed due to slavery and the way they treated different ethnicities. Therefore, the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies differed in geographical regions, economic standings, and structure of society. 

Beginning with the Southern colonies, their most defining features included rich soil, rich people, and the slave trade. The Southern colonies consisted of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia. These colonies contained bountiful coastal plains and rich soil which was perfect for the growth of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. Because of these conditions, many farmers moved to the south, which led to the success of many farmers and increased the use of the plantation system. The plantation system allowed for the most income due to the use of slaves. Once a farmer bought a slave, they would no longer have to pay that slave. Economically, the southern colonies outperformed the Middle and New England colonies by a long shot, due to the growth of cash crops and the use of the plantation system. 

The Middle colonies, also known as the “bread basket”, consisted of the colonies of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and New Jersey. These colonies contained natural ports, warmer climates, flat land, fruitful soil, and rivers; perfect for planting most crops. The Middle colonies, while not using the plantation system, produced most of the food that was used throughout the colonies. While farming was their main source of income, the colonizers also utilized the colonies natural ports. These ports were used for importing and exporting the food that they had produced. 

Lastly, the New England colonies were the colonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. These colonies, while not the most geographically desirable, were the most industrialized part of the nation. It's rocky terrain and cold climate is not as well fitted for farming as the southern and middle colonies are. Of course, there still has to be a couple of farmers here and there; at this time in history, these farmers were called Yeoman farmers. Yeoman farmers were the nickman for any small or family owned farm, who owned the land they farmed on. Because of the small farms, there was no need for a plantation system, so dlavery was not common in the Northern colonies. The New Englander colonies mostly consisted of craftsmen and merchants. Because of the amount of people in the New England colonies, it was very easy to trade. There were an exuberant amount of skilled craftsmen who built ships that were used for trade and naval services. These colonies' economies highly benefited from trade and working with the Middle colonies. 

When considering the differences between the South, Middle, and New England colonies, there does not seem to be a multitude of differences. Only after fully analyzing a few definable differences between the regions of colonies, it is already evident that there are significant differences from their geographical location, economic standings, and their social constructs.