How was farming in the Middle colonies different from plantation farming?

Answer 1

Farming in the Middle Colonies was characterized by smaller family farms that produced a diverse range of crops, including grains like wheat and barley, alongside vegetables and livestock. In contrast, plantation farming, primarily found in the Southern Colonies, focused on large-scale production of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and cotton, utilizing enslaved labor for intensive cultivation. The Middle Colonies emphasized a mixed economy and subsistence farming, while plantation farming was heavily reliant on export-oriented monoculture. This distinction led to different social structures and economic systems in the regions.