Background
The founders of Maryland were Captain John Smith, King Charles, and Lord George Calvert, Maryland was founded as a haven for those suffering religious persecution. The founder of Georgia was James E. Ogelthorpe, he founded Georgia for debtors and indentured servants. The founders of North Carolina were the Lord Proprietors and the Charter of Carolina. The founder of South Carolina were Eight Lord Proprietors. The founder of Virginia was Sir Walter Raleigh.
Social
There were many slaves and indentured servants in the southern colonies. Free, white men were the wealthiest and usually owned big plantations. Free white men were also aloud to vote and were granted extra land for wives, children, and slaves brought to the colonies. People came to the southern colonies from parts of Europe and England.
Religion
Many colonies were founded for religious freedom and a haven for people who had suffered religious persecution in their home country. There were many types of religions including Quakers, Protestants, Anglicans, and Catholics. Many types of churches and priests.
Government
Most of the governments in the southern colonies gave more freedom to the free white men living there. They were all democracies. Many were able to vote for representatives and governors. Some of the documents created were The Fundamental Constituition of Carolina, and The Act of Toleration.
Geography
These colonies were on the east coast and had peninsulas. There was good, fertile farm land. Many forests and mountains farther west. Most summers were hot and humid while winters were mainly mild with light snow.
Economy
The southern colonies were the best for farming and had the longest growing season. They grew a variety of crops including rice, indigo, tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, flax, sassafras, grain, etc. Colonists also fished, cut lumber, and mined iron along with farming. They exported products to other colonies and to England. There were also many large plantations that used slave labor as well. There were tradesmen, silversmiths, farmers, lumberjacks, etc.