"Our people are a mix of many nations and languages: there are Swedes, Dutch, Germans, French, and English, all living together in relative quiet. The land is fruitful in wheat, barley, and oats, which our merchants grind into flour and export to the islands of the West Indies. In matters of faith, the government permits all to worship in their own way, which has drawn many industrious families who fled persecution in Europe."
—Letter from a settler in Philadelphia, c. 1700
The patterns described in the excerpt most directly reflect which of the following characteristics of the Middle Colonies?
- The development of a society characterized by ethnic pluralism, religious tolerance, and a diverse export-based agricultural economyAnswer
- BThe establishment of a homogeneous society based on strict religious conformity and subsistence family farming
- CA plantation-based economy relying almost exclusively on tobacco cultivation and hereditary chattel slavery
- DA mercantile system that operated completely outside of the British imperial trade network
Answer
The development of a society characterized by ethnic pluralism, religious tolerance, and a diverse export-based agricultural economy
The correct answer is correct because the settler's letter describes ethnic diversity, agricultural exports of grain to the West Indies, and religious freedom. These factors were defining features of the Middle Colonies, which stood out for their pluralism and 'breadbasket' economy.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Middle Colonies Regional Characteristics
Estimated Time:1m 0s