The Southern Colonies were largely corporate in nature. This led to the growth of a plantation economy based on single crops – mainly tobacco and rice – that required slavery to bring in substantial profits. The economy encouraged the growth of widely-dispersed, isolated settlements.
The Middle Colonies were more economically diverse, hosting small farmers, craftsmen, and merchants – all who depended on some sort of profit for their living. This led to the growth of a diverse economy that required a large number of indentured servants. The economy encouraged the growth of small, dispersed, but inner-connected settlements.
The New England colonies were economically homogeneous, hosting small, self-sufficient farmers living on family-run farms and a few merchants. The led to the