Government for the Middle Colonies
New York
This colony was founded by the Dutch and called New Netherland. Eventually, the English acquired it, and the colony was given by King Charles I to his brother, the Duke of York. The Duke of York kept a large portion of this land, and renamed it New York. New York was divided into sections on which colonists could start farms. He chose governors. These governors chose a council to help with decisions. This allowed colonists to elect representatives to an assembly. These representatives did contribute to lawmaking, but were not very powerful.
New Jersey
The Duke of York gave some of his land to his friends, George Carteret and John Berkeley. This land was split into two portions, East and West Jersey. Eventually, these parts were united into New Jersey. Since George Carteret and John Berkeley lived in England, they needed governors to control their land. As it was the case with New York, governors picked a council to make decisions. Like New York, the delegates did not have very much power.
Pennsylvania
William Penn was a Quaker. Quakers were another group from England who were persecuted for their beliefs. The King of England owed Penn’s family a lot of money, but instead, he gave Penn land in the New World. This colony was Pennsylvania. People from many different countries moved to the Pennsylvania, because of the tolerance found there. Pennsylvania citizens were allowed to vote for representatives. However these representatives had more power; they could approve of or reject laws. The Native Americans were treated fairly. Penn made treaties with them when buying their land.
Delaware
The Duke of York also gave Penn some more land. At first this land was part of Pennsylvania, but after a while, it became the colony of Delaware.
New York
This colony was founded by the Dutch and called New Netherland. Eventually, the English acquired it, and the colony was given by King Charles I to his brother, the Duke of York. The Duke of York kept a large portion of this land, and renamed it New York. New York was divided into sections on which colonists could start farms. He chose governors. These governors chose a council to help with decisions. This allowed colonists to elect representatives to an assembly. These representatives did contribute to lawmaking, but were not very powerful.
New Jersey
The Duke of York gave some of his land to his friends, George Carteret and John Berkeley. This land was split into two portions, East and West Jersey. Eventually, these parts were united into New Jersey. Since George Carteret and John Berkeley lived in England, they needed governors to control their land. As it was the case with New York, governors picked a council to make decisions. Like New York, the delegates did not have very much power.
Pennsylvania
William Penn was a Quaker. Quakers were another group from England who were persecuted for their beliefs. The King of England owed Penn’s family a lot of money, but instead, he gave Penn land in the New World. This colony was Pennsylvania. People from many different countries moved to the Pennsylvania, because of the tolerance found there. Pennsylvania citizens were allowed to vote for representatives. However these representatives had more power; they could approve of or reject laws. The Native Americans were treated fairly. Penn made treaties with them when buying their land.
Delaware
The Duke of York also gave Penn some more land. At first this land was part of Pennsylvania, but after a while, it became the colony of Delaware.