What spurred the growth of the middle colonies?

> CHRONOLOGY

1733

  • Benjamin Franklin publishes Poor Richard’s Almanack.
1770

  • Population of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware increases tenfold, largely as result of immigration.

  • Germans make up largest percentage of migrants from European continent.

  • Middle colonies’ per capita consumption of imported goods from Britain more than doubles.

In 1700, the middle colonies of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware had only half the population of New England. But by 1770, the population of the middle colonies had multiplied tenfold and nearly equaled the population of New England. Immigrants—mainly German, Irish, Scottish—made the middle colonies a uniquely diverse society. By 1800, barely one-third of Pennsylvanians and less than half the total population of the middle colonies traced their ancestry to England. New white settlers, both free and in servitude, poured into the middle colonies because they perceived unparalleled opportunities.

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