What factor contributed to the higher literacy rate in the New England colonies compared to Southern or Middle Colonists?

The higher literacy rate in the New England colonies can primarily be attributed to the religious emphasis placed on education within these communities. The Puritan influence in New England strongly encouraged reading, particularly the Bible, as a way to foster personal piety and understanding of one's faith. This cultural priority led to the establishment of schools and educational institutions, ensuring that children could read not only religious texts but also participate meaningfully in civic life.

In contrast, other colonies, such as those in the South, were more agrarian and often emphasized labor over literacy, resulting in less investment in educational opportunities. The Middle Colonies had a diverse population with varying degrees of educational focus depending on the community, but they did not have the same unified religious motive as the New England colonies. Thus, while factors such as economics, geography, and political involvement could influence literacy, it was the particular religious drive for education in New England that set it apart and led to higher overall literacy rates.