Creating a summary of each region is a great way for students to organize what they have learned and to better be able to separate each of them. In this activity, students will create a storyboard that displays their understanding of one colonial region's geography, resources, economic opportunities, demographics, and local governments during the 1700s..
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Due Date:
Objective: Demonstrate your knowledge of the natural resources, economies, demographics and governments of one of the American colonial regions in the 1700s
Student Instructions
Begin the lesson with an interactive introduction to the colonial regions of North America - New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. Use maps and engaging visuals to showcase the geographical differences and characteristics of each region. Briefly discuss the distinctive features of each region, such as climate, natural resources, and the types of settlements and communities that developed.
Assign each student or a group of students to one of the colonial regions. Provide them with resources such as books, educational websites, and videos to research their assigned region. Encourage them to take notes on key aspects: geography, resources, economic opportunities, demographics, and local governments.
Once students have gathered enough information, guide them in creating a storyboard that illustrates their findings. Each storyboard should visually represent the geography, economy, demographics, and governance of the region. Provide materials for storyboard creation, such as large paper sheets, markers, colored pencils, and access to any digital tools if available.
After the storyboards are complete, allow each student or group to present their storyboard to the class. Encourage them to explain what they learned about their region and how it was unique compared to others. Facilitate a class discussion, prompting students to reflect on how the different regions might interact with each other, their contributions to the colonial economy, and any similarities or differences they found interesting.
In the Colonial Regions of America, economic activities varied significantly due to differences in climate, geography, and resources. The New England Colonies, with their rocky soil and harsh climate, focused on fishing, shipbuilding, and later on manufacturing and trade. The Middle Colonies, known for their fertile soil, were the center of agriculture, particularly grain production, and also engaged in fur trade and iron mining. The Southern Colonies, with a warmer climate and fertile land, were predominantly agricultural, focusing on cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo. These crops were often produced on large plantations where enslaved Africans formed a significant part of the labor force. Thus, each region developed distinct economic characteristics based on its natural environment and available resources.
Interaction among the Colonial Regions was primarily driven by trade and economic complementarities. The diverse economies of the regions made them interdependent: the agricultural produce of the South and the grain from the Middle Colonies were traded for the manufactured goods and fish from New England. There were also political interactions, especially in the face of common external threats or in response to British policies, leading to a growing sense of unity among the colonies. However, regional differences and rivalries did exist, sometimes hindering cohesive action, as seen in the debates leading up to and during the Continental Congresses.
Over time, the economies of the Colonial Regions evolved significantly, influenced by factors such as changing trade relationships, technological advancements, and shifting political landscapes. In New England, initial focus on subsistence farming gradually gave way to shipbuilding and trade, with the development of ports like Boston. The Middle Colonies, benefiting from their agricultural output, became key suppliers of foodstuffs to other colonies and Europe. The Southern economy, heavily reliant on tobacco and later on cotton, saw an increase in the use of slave labor and the growth of large plantations. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, economic growth in the colonies was further fueled by increasing immigration, the availability of land, and the development of market systems. By the eve of the American Revolution, these regional economies had matured, setting the stage for the economic challenges and opportunities of an independent United States.