Read about the geographic position of the Middle Colonies and the diversity that made those colonies a crossroads of ideas.

A chapter from a history text that looks at the development of the Southern Colonies. It discusses the Southern agricultural economy that relied on slave labor, tobacco as a cash crop, Southern society, indentured servitude, Bacon's...

The opening of Alison's "Free School" was an event of importance both for the school's impact in its time and for its eventual development into a much larger and more comprehensive institution. The school was founded in 1736 by Francis...

The Southern Colonies developed their own personality, just as the New England and Middle colonies did. Read about the economy of the Southern Colonies, their labor force, and why the second-born of wealthy English familes came to this...

Read about the three distinct systems of slavery that developed in the colonies based primarily on the crops that were grown in each region. See how the system affected the way the culture of slaves grew out of the region.

A brief biography of Benjamin Franklin covering his career as a printer, philanthropist, inventor, and public servant.

In this lesson plan, 5th graders learn about the many societal structures that developed in colonial days, including the conditions for self-government in America, the free-market economy, and the slavery system. Background information...

In the Southern colonies, a predominantly agricultural society developed.

Here's a site with lots of information written by middle school students. Click on English Colonial Life, then Development of Self-Government for more information on government of the colonies.