Notes Guide TODAY: Copy down in notes as bell work. New England Middle Colonies Southern Colonies Economic System: Social System: Economic System: Social System: Economic System: Social System:

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Social & Economic Development in the American Colonies Unit 2 Colonial America Part 5 Social & Economic Development in the American Colonies

As the American colonies grew, different regions developed widely different socio-economic & cultural structures. Little industry developed in the South. Instead, the economy & culture were based on the plantation system of slave labor. This culture remained largely intact until the Civil War. Plantations were largely self-sufficient. As a result, the South developed little infrastructure & only a few large port cities, such as Charleston.

Unlike the agrarian South, New England developed a more diverse economy that depended primarily on commerce & manufacturing. Important New England industries included fishing, whaling, shipbuilding, & lumber mills powered by waterfalls.

Although slave labor was not a large part of the New England economy, the region nevertheless prospered greatly from the slave trade of the Triangle Trade, AKA the South Atlantic System. Since Southern planters were usually short on cash, they received bills of exchange from Northern merchants, which they traded to buy slave, supplies, & other products.

Boston grew into a large city as a result of trade w/ England & Southern planters, & the social structure which developed was based on mercantilism. Wealthy merchants & shippers formed the upper class of New England society. Artisans, or skilled workers who made goods, formed the middle class, & unskilled workers were the lower class.

Most New England farms were freeholds, or small family farms, & were worked by the entire family. Women were expected help on the farm by spinning cloth, tending gardens, etc. The Congregationalist Church steadily lost authority in New England; however, New England culture remained heavily influenced by Puritan ideals, including the Puritan work ethic.

The Middle Colonies were the most ethnically & religiously diverse. German Mennonites came to America for religious freedom, as did many Jews. Scots-Irish immigrants came for both religious & economic reasons. These groups brought new cultures but tended to remain within their own ethnic communities.

Wheat was an important crop in the Middle Colonies & helped the regional economy grow. However, port cities like Philadelphia & New York grew based on trade. Textiles were an important cottage industry in the Middle Colonies, as many small farmers spun cloth to earn additional income. The Middle Colonies & New England shared a similar economy but the ethnic diversity led to differing social values.

Colonial literature was confined to newspapers & pamphlets Colonial literature was confined to newspapers & pamphlets. One of the most popular of these was Poor Richard’s Almanack, which Benjamin Franklin began publishing in 1732. 1773 - Phillis Wheatley became the 1st African-American woman to publish a book in America

1734 – John Peter Zenger was arrested for libel after printing articles in his newspaper that were critical of the colonial governor of New York. He was defended by Andrew Hamilton & found not guilty, which established the principle of a free press in America.

Long Essay Question: What led to the diverse development of economic and social systems throughout the New England, Middle, and Southern American colonies? Will be stamped as completed tomorrow during class! Graded for accuracy during BINDER CHECK.