7th Grade Unit 2 Ch 4, Section 1 Life in the Colonies 7th Grade Unit 2 Ch 4, Section 1

New England Colonies The number of people living in the Colonies grew from about 250 000 in 1700 to 2.5 million by the mid- 1770s. Factors behind the growth of the Colonies: Immigration Europeans, Africans, & Jews. Colonial women married early and had many children. Americans, especially New England, were unusually healthy and lived longer

New England Colonies Farming was the main economic activity in the Colonies. New England farms were smaller. Why? Long winters = shorter growing season Thin rocky soil made large scale farming difficult Farmers in New England practiced subsistence farming, which means that they only produced enough to meet the needs of their family.

Commerce in New England New England had many small businesses mills, lumber yards, candle makers, garment makers. Large towns attracted craftspeople shoemakers, blacksmiths, gunsmiths and printers. Shipbuilding was an important industry in New England. Local forests were used as a source of wood to build ships. New England had many coastal towns. Fishing was also an important industry.

Colonial Jobs

Colonial Trade As shipbuilding grew in the northern Colonies, trade with other Colonies grew. New England linked the northern Colonies with the southern Colonies and with other parts of the world. Trading ships followed routes that came to be known as the triangular trade routes because the routes formed a triangle.

Triangular Trade Route

How did New England take part in the triangular trade route? Ships brought sugar and molasses from the West Indies to the New England Colonies molasses was made into rum. Rum and other goods were shipped to West Africa and traded for slaves. Enslaved Africans were shipped to the Americas this journey was called the Middle Passage.

The Middle Passage Slavery had been practiced in Africa for centuries. When the Europeans arrived they took advantage of the system. The journey from Africa to the Americas was a terrible and inhumane journey. Many died from disease on the way.

The Middle Colonies The Middle Colonies had a milder climate and more fertile soil than the northern Colonies. This meant that farmers in the Middle Colonies could cultivate larger areas and produce larger harvests. In New York and Pennsylvania farmers grew large quantities of wheat and other cash crops. Cash crops could be sold easily for profit.

Industries of the Middle Colonies Home based crafts, like carpentry and flour making. Small scale manufacturing. Iron works opened in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Many German immigrants moved to the middle colonies, and other non-English speaking immigrants gave these colonies cultural diversity.

The Southern Colonies Advantage of the Southern Colonies: Rich and fertile soil Warm climate Settlers made their living from farming. Tobacco was the main cash crop in Maryland and Virginia. Planters first used indentured servants, then used enslaved Africans instead.

The Southern Colonies The main cash crop in South Carolina and Georgia was rice. grown in flooded fields and harvested when the water drained from the fields. This was difficult work, and planters relied on slave labor.

Rice cultivation in South Carolina and Georgia Workers had to stand knee deep in mud all day as they toiled in rice paddies. Rice was profitable and the price rose steadily. By the 1750s S.C. and Georgia had the fastest growing economies.

Tidewater and Backcountry Most large plantations were in the Tidewater low lying plains along the coast. Each plantation was a self contained community. West of the Tidewater lay the hills and forests climbing toward the Appalachian Mountains. This region is called the backcountry. These farmers grew corn and tobacco on smaller plots. The Tidewater planters were the most wealthy.

Agricultural Enterprise in the Colonies New England Southern Large scale plantations of cash crops Use of slave labor Milder climate, longer growing season Subsistence farming Family labor Long winters, short growing season Farming is main economic activity

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN COLONIES New England Middle Colonies Southern Colonies   Small subsistence farms Small businesses Fishing Shipbuilding Center of trade Large farms, cash crops (wheat & livestock) Small-scale manufacturing Lumbering Mining Trade Large-scale plantations, cash crops (tobacco & rice) Use of indentured servants and enslaved Africans

Slavery Most African slaves lived on plantations. Most slaves worked in the fields, although some were house slaves. Overseers made sure that slaves worked hard. By the 1700s, slave codes, or strict laws, ensured that slaves worked hard and were obedient. If slaves broke the rules they were often harshly punished. It was only the wealthy plantation owners who had slaves, most Southerners did not own slaves. A number of groups in the colonies were against slavery, including Quakers, Puritans and Mennonites.