The relationship between Britain and her colonies in North America

13 Colonies

New England Colonies Economic –Small farms, raised live stock, exported some natural resource – lumber and cod –Made most of their money from carrying out the trade between England and the colonies –Fewer wealthy families but more economic equality –Major city - Boston Social Patterns –Middle class, mainly families, largest in population by 1700 –Schooling more available – highest literacy rate –Puritan beliefs dominated the colonies Thrift, diligence, morality, honor God by working hard, pray devoutly, read the bible, obey God’s will –Few African Americans

Middle Colonies Economic –Family farms which were very successful –Able to export farm goods (wheat) –Grew rapidly in the 1700 –Major city Philadelphia and New York Social Patterns –Large European immigrant population Became the most culturally diverse region Religious tolerance –Few African Americans

Southern Colonies Economic –Large plantation along the cost which raised the most valuable of colonial crops Tobacco (cotton is not until 1790s) –Few wealthy large plantation owners most common small farmers –Families with small farms settled inland (hillier) Social –Early settlers were single young men seeking work on a farm to own a farm letter Indentured servants –Few immigrants –Most of the African American population lived in the South –Illiteracy most common in the South

Economic Relationship Based on Mercantilism –An economic system in which nations seek to increase their wealth and power Obtain as much gold as possible Establish a favorable balance of trade –Favorable Balance of Trade Country exports more then it imports Sells more then it buys –Colonies were the key They exported raw material to the mother country Bought finished products from the mother country Decreased the mother countries dependence on foreign nations –Colonies exist to serve the interests fo the mother country

Controlling Colonial Trade England say colonies as the key to imperial power Colonies played role as provider and supplier Could collect money threw import taxes (goods coming into the colonies) To control colonial trade –Passed the Navigation Acts

The Navigation Acts mid 1600s 1. Goods were shipped only on Colonial or English ships 2. Crews must be ¾ English or Colonial 3. Valuable exports go only to England –Tobacco and sugar 4. Imports only came from England –Had to pay a custom duty (tax)

It worked English trade with its colony increased English shipping trade doubled The value of English imports and exports increased By 1600 English trade was global and England became a wealthier country

But……………… The colonies were so far away……across the Atlantic Ocean hard to enforce the laws So England practiced Salutary Neglect –Lessened the supervision as long as England of the lion’s share of the wealth –Much smuggling went on Colonist traded with the West Indies Colonist established trade routes all over the Western Hemisphere –Not only in trade but government as well Colonist were able to establish and develop their own legislative bodies to make laws which regulated each colony Everything is fine until England ends Salutary Neglect