New England Farms vs. Southern Plantations — Reading Comprehension

Colonial America had many different kinds of farms. Some farms were small and rocky, especially in New England. Others were huge plantations in the Southern Colonies. These farms helped shape the lives of early Americans.

In New England, the land was full of rocks and the weather was cold. People who wanted to farm here had to work hard. They cleared stones from the fields. They planted crops like corn, beans, and squash. These crops grew well in the short, cool summers. On these rocky farms, families worked together. Everyone had jobs. Children helped plant and harvest crops. Mothers cooked and cared for animals. Fathers built fences and fixed tools. Because the land was not very rich, most families grew just enough food for themselves. This is called subsistence farming.

In the Southern Colonies, the land was flat and the soil was rich. The weather was warm for many months. This made it perfect for growing crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo. Large plantations needed many workers. Plantation owners often used enslaved people to do the hard labor. Enslaved people worked in the fields from sunrise to sunset. They planted, picked, and prepared the crops. The crops were sold to other colonies and even to Europe. This is called cash crop farming, because the crops made money for the owners.

Life on rocky farms and plantations was very different. Rocky farms were small. Families worked side by side. They did not have many workers. Life was hard, but families helped each other. On plantations, the owners were usually wealthy. They lived in large houses. Enslaved people did most of the work. Families on plantations did not work in the fields. The lives of enslaved people were very hard and unfair. They were not paid for their work and had no freedom.

These two ways of farming changed America. Small farms taught people to work together and solve problems. Plantations brought wealth to the South but also led to great unfairness and suffering. Over time, these differences became very important in American history.

Interesting Fact: The first successful tobacco crop in Virginia was planted by John Rolfe in 1612 and helped the colony grow quickly.

Where were rocky farms mostly found?

What was the main crop in Virginia?

Who did most of the work on plantations?

Why did New England farms stay small?

What did cash crop farming mean?

How did families help on rocky farms?

Plantations used enslaved workers. True or false?

What does 'subsistence' mean?