Colonial Economy and Life

Objectives 1.1,1.2,1.4 Geographic regions and self government

Starter

• Which group of colonists

had the most religious freedom?

Mercantilism

• Colonies had a lucrative trade with England; it all revolved around a theory called mercantilism.

• Mercantilism is based on 2 ideas:

1. Obtain as much gold/silver as possible 2. Establish a favorable “balance of trade” (export or sell more than you import or buy).

The Southern Colonies

In the south, most people are turning to farming-cash crops like tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo).

The South has a distinct culture & is very rural.

Indentured servants were used as field hands. They were subject to cruel treatment & many never got their freedom.

Slavery in the Southern Colonies

• Due to a labor shortage in the south, they began to use slaves from Africa (by 1750 there were 200,000).

• Slaves were brought here on ships (thru the Triangular Trade Route) and endured the Middle Passage (long, hard journey on ships across the Atlantic).

The Northern Colonies

• The northern colonies had a diverse economy: shipping, industry, and farming.

• Most people lived in cities that were overcrowded, dirty, poor, full of diseases.

• Some did own slaves. Women were beginning to work outside the home.

Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692

• Several young girls accused a slave of witchcraft, that led to a trial in which the girls received a lot of attention.

• When it was all over 150 had been imprisoned, 19 hanged, & 6 other

deaths.

• The religious hysteria spread to

other colonies

New Ideas

• Enlightenment brought new ideas about the world. Obtain truth through experimentation & reasoning.

• Great Awakening was a religious movement in the 1730s & 40s led by Jon Edwards

• New movements in religion & science result in people questioning Britain’s control!

English rule challenged

French & Indian War • war between France & England for control of

North America. • French wanted the fur trade & allied themselves

with the Indians. • War ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris,

that said England gets all of North America east of the

Mississippi River, Spain got the western land, & France go the land in Canada.