New Jersey is a densely populated state with miles of coastline and a rich industrial past. Located midway between New York City and Philadelphia, the state is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, Delaware and Pennsylvania to the west, and New York to the north. New Jersey has a long history of complex settler and colonial legacies, including diversity in faith, gender, race, and ethnicity.
The first Europeans to explore the area that would become New Jersey came in the 16th century. The Dutch established small trading colonies in towns such as Hoboken and Jersey City. The English took control of the colony in 1664. They sold land at low prices to settlers, allowing them freedom of religion and political representation. These settlers brought with them cultural traditions from their homelands, which influenced local languages, foodways, and religious practices.
After the Revolutionary War, New Jersey’s economy became increasingly industrial. The state was an early leader in glass production, and it grew as a center for textile and manufacturing industries. New Jersey’s location as a transportation hub enabled it to develop a robust shipping industry, building steamboats, railroads, and canals. The state was also a leader in the manufacture of weapons for the Civil War and World Wars. New Jersey’s industrial legacy left a lasting mark on the region as many immigrants from southern and eastern Europe migrated to the state, bringing with them their own distinct cultures, which still thrive in the state today.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New Jersey had become a national prototype for progressive economic, political, and social reforms. It was one of the nation’s most urban and industrial states, with a population that was increasingly diverse in terms of race, age, and religion. As a result, it was the site of some of the most influential worker strikes in American history.
The tumultuous times of the Great Depression and World War II brought New Jersey prosperity for some, while others struggled to overcome poverty and discrimination. Affordability and easy access to mortgages made the suburbs popular, fostering a new level of wealth in parts of the state. Meanwhile, housing and transportation improvements enabled African Americans to move from rural areas to the suburbs. The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in New Jersey, granting African Americans voting rights, but discriminatory housing covenants and redlining continued to limit opportunities for many. Despite these setbacks, the state remained a progressive leader in social and economic policy.