Colonial America 3 Life in the Colonies

New England Colonies: Economy Economy was based mostly on shipbuilding, fishing, whaling, lumber, fur and trade. Farmers were primarily subsistence farmers. The top cash crops were: Corn, wheat, and potatoes

Middle Colonies: Economy Top industries of the middle colonies were commercial farming, iron, shipbuilding, mining, and lumber. Due to much better soil, and a larger growing area wheat and other grains were sold as cash crops.

Southern Colonies: Economy Farming was the primary occupation of the Southerners. Top cash crops were: rice, tobacco, and indigo. With such a heavy reliance on farming, the south did not have a need to develop commerce or industry. Relied on slave labor.

Triangular Trade and the Middle Passage Triangular Trade is the name given to trade routes between, Europe, the West Indies, the American Colonies, and West Africa. The Middle passage was the inhumane part of the triangular trade, that shipped Africans to the West Indies.

Triangular Trade and the Middle Passage

Deck Plan

Education in the Colonies An important part of Colonial life, especially in New England and Pennsylvania. Education was religious based. Massachusetts passed a public education law in 1647 requiring all communities to have a public funded school. In New England by 1750, 85% of men and 50% of women could read and write. Age of Enlightenment: knowledge, reason, and science could improve society.

Government in the Colonies Charter Colonies: Connecticut and Rhode Island. Elected their own Governors and representatives. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: 1st formal written constitution in the colonies. Proprietary Colonies: Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Ruled by Proprietors. Royal Colonies: Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North & South Carolina, and Virginia. Ruled directly by Britain.