Ch. 4 Sect. 1 Life in the Colonies pp. 88-95 Growth of the Colonies Ch. 4 Sect. 1 Life in the Colonies pp. 88-95

Quiz 4-1 topics Vocabulary Rising colonial populations Farming in NE—other occupations Farming in the South Triangular trade route-Middle Passage Middle colony ports

Growth of the Colonies Population went from 250,000 in 1700 to 2.5 million in 1750’s Why? Immigration—Africans and Europeans More women with larger families Healthier-Children made to age six—people lived longer

Commerce in New England Many small businesses Used water Power –Mills Women sold candles, soap and garments Craftspeople—blacksmith, furniture makers and printers Shipbuilding Fishing

Colonial Trade Most NE farmers practiced subsistence farming Engaged in other business activities like trade Northern Coastal cities were the center of the shipping trade Followed trade routes to England and the West Indies carrying fish, fur and fruit Engaged in slave, molasses, rum trade known as triangular trade routes

Middle Passage Slaves were marched to a European fort on the African coast There they were traded, branded and forced on the ship the passage to the West Indies was called the Middle Passage When slaves reached the American market they were auctioned off 12 million Africans sent to the Americas

Middle Colonies More fertile soil and milder climate than New England In NY and Penn. Farmers grew large quantities of wheat, oats, corn and rye—called the “Bread Colonies” Grains and livestock were shipped to port cities of NYC and Philly NYC—18,000 people, Philly—24,000 people

Industries and Immigrants Mid Col Some home based crafts such as carpentry and flour making Large businesses such as tanning, mining, lumbering and iron milling The cultural diversity created a tolerance for differences 100,000 Germans mainly settled in Pennsylvania Dutch, Swedes, Scotch-Irish, French Huegenots Swedes brought the log cabin idea

The Southern Colonies and Slavery Rich soil and warm climate made the South suited to cash crops and large farms Tobacco was the principal cash crop of Maryland and Virginia Required many workers--first indentured servants and then slaves When tobacco prices fell—farmers switched to wheat or corn

South Carolina and Georgia Main cash crop was rice Grown in low lying areas along the coast Work in the rice paddies was strenuous Hot sun, biting mosquitoes Rice growers relied on slave labor Rice price steadily grew, more profitable than tobacco

Southern Tidewater Locations

Tidewater Most Southern plantations located in the Tidewater—low lying plains along the coast Large farms located on rivers so products could be shipped to market A plantation was a self-contained community Included the main house, slave cabins, barns, stables , store houses even a chapel and school

Tidal Swamp Conversion Carney (p. 91) Step 1: trees are removed. An embankment is built around the acre and a canal is dug around the outside of the embankment. The changes to the land allow the swamp to be drained of water. Step 2: a quadrant (one-quarter) of the field is again surrounded by an earthen dike and a “trunk” is inserted. Steps 3 and 4: The process is repeated until the whole acre is planted with rice.

(Carney) A “hanging trunk” that controlled the tides flowing into the rice field.

Backcountry Hills and forests climbing up to the Appalachian Mountains Grew corn and tobacco with their families on small farms—some slaves Even though these farmers outnumbered plantation owners *the plantation owners controlled the political and economic life of the region*

Slavery and Traditions see Roots Most slaves worked in the fields Others worked as carpenters, bricklayers, weavers Overseers kept the slaves working Slave codes (laws) controlled behavior, ability to punish slaves, slave movements Slaves drew on the language, customs and traditions of West Africa

Criticisms of Slavery Many Puritans refused to own slaves Quakers and Mennonites condemned slavery The debate over slavery would continue to boil during the 1800’s leading up to the Civil War