Colonial Growth and Change The English Colonies Grow France was eliminated as a major colonial power. Spain is weakened as well, but maintained control of the Southwest English colonies balloon to 2.5 million in 1775 Life in New England Farming is the main economic activity in all the colonies, but New England – (rocky soil and long winters) “Garden Farming” Business becomes the main economic driver Fishing & Ship building also become important. Triangular Trade Routes

Triangular Trade Route New England ship merchants took fish, grain, meat, and lumber to the West Indies (Caribbean Islands) and traded these commodities for sugar, molasses, and fruit, which were taken back to New England. Rum is made from the molasses. The rum and manufactured goods were shipped to West Africa and traded for enslaved Africans to be shipped to America.

The Middle and Southern Colonies Middle Colonies Farmers grow large qualities of wheat and livestock. They were also involved in home-based industries like carpentry and flower making. In fact the Middle Colonies were known as “The Bread Basket” of the English Colonies. Lumbering and mining were also important economic endeavors.

The Southern Colonies The Southern Colonies grew cash crops to sale… very different from the New England Colonies. The had large plantations. Tobacco, and rice were two of the large cash crops. This was because of the warm climate and rich soil. Thus, the colonies of the South developed agrarian economies. The effect was that the South didn’t develop much commerce, or industry. London merchants rather than local merchants managed Southern trade.

Southern Colonies cont. Slavery becomes an integral part of the Southern economy. In New England slavery was not very practical as an economic factor.

Colonial Government Mercantilism is an economic theory, which bases a nation’s power on expanding its trade and earning profits from its colonies. England’s colonial empire building was based on mercantilism and viewed it’s colonies as an economic resource. The Navigation Acts were laws forced English colonists to send goods only on English ships. The laws were intended to prevent products such as sugar, and tobacco from being sent outside of the empire. Because the colonies were so far removed from the mother country many colonies enjoyed some self-gov. However self- governance was for white males only who owned property

France and Britain Clash in America France and Britain clash over fur trade and Atlantic fishing rights. The French were particularly interested in curtailing British expansion into the Ohio Valley, consequently the built a string of forts along the river of the upper Ohio Valley. 21 year old George Washington (a surveyor) was sent in 1754 to demand that the French leave. At the site of present day Pittsburgh Washington and his troops are defeated by the French. Ben Franklin suggest a plan for forming a union called the Albany Plan of Union. The colonies reject Franklin’s plan.