Economy

Triangular Trade 3 way exchange of goods between the Americas, Europe, and Africa during the 1700s Slaves came from Africa on a journey known as the Middle Passage 10-12 million Africans sent to the Americas between 1450-1870 2 million died on the journey

Mercantilism Economoic theory in which the mother country relies on colonies to provide raw materials while the mother country provides manufactured goods Economic relationship between Britain and the colonies Export more than import Tobacco, lumber, furs Lack of manufacturing in colonies Keeps colonies reliant on mother country

Advantages of Mercantilism VA/MD farmers guaranteed monopoly on tobacco market in England Average American better off economically that the average English settler

Colonial Currency Commodity money Varied from colony to colony 1690 – MA 1st colony to use paper money, or bills of credit Slowly spread Credit grow Average families can participate in consumer economy

Slavery Bacon’s Rebellion led to change from indentured servants to slavery America’s participation in triangular trade brought millions of slaves Plantation farmers in South wanted cheap labor force VA created first slaves codes in 1705 Set laws about relationships between free and enslaved people African-Americans could not own property, move about freely, or testify againts whites in court 1775, 20 percent of the population in the colonies was African

The Navigation Acts By mid 1600s, American colonies exported lumber, fur, fish, and tobacco in exchange for furniture, books, china Some products exchanged with Spain and France England sees this as economic threat Navigation Acts First passed in 1651 Colonist trade on British ships Prohibited trade in colonies with other countries Causes anger and resentment smuggling

Salutary Neglect In the late 1600s, England turned attention away from colonies and towards France As long as colonists continued to provide raw materials, England would not send soldiers to enforce laws Salutary = beneficial Neglect = abandonment Governors managed trade Self- government grew stronger

Professional Jobs in the colonies Clergy Honored Physicians Not well trained Not highly esteemed Lawyers Commonly disliked Over time, seen as more helpful

Working class jobs Agriculture Fishing and Whaling Blacksmith Tailor 90% of colonists Fishing and Whaling “ranked” below farming Trained sailors Blacksmith Tailor