In the 17th century the American colonies were established with different goals and purposes in mind. Starting in the mid-17th century and throughout 18th century, the ways of life and regional differences in the northern and southern colonies started to change and become more and more similar. The colonies adopted common goals of creating wealth and independence, which would lead to the unification of the colonies and allow them to pursue their freedom. In North America the New England, Middle and Southern regions were all home to colonies that differed in many ways. The New England colonies were established for religious or political reasons. Religious freedom attracted many immigrants. Economically, the colonies in New England grew as a result of individual farming, fishing, and shipbuilding. The area was a huge center for trading in which merchants prospered. The Middle Colonies were very diverse, politically, economically, religiously, and ethnically. Many Scots-Irish, Germans and Dutch immigrants settled here. The economy in the Middle colonies relied shipbuilding, trade, and mainly on cash crops such as, beef and grain. The grain and excess flour was traded with the West Indies for slaves which were needed on plantations and farms. Transporting these raw materials and products helped expand the use ports and shipbuilding in the north. The Southern colonies differed greatly from the Northern colonies. Economically they were led by agriculture and politically led by wealthy plantation owners that used slaves. The population in the South was made up of about forty percent slaves. Trade was mainly used were there was a river or waterway that could transport goods which was essential in making money off of cash crops. The slaves worked and harvested the cash crops including indigo, tobacco and rice. Unlike the north, the economy was solely based on the trade and export of these cash crops. All of the colonies were created for many r