Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Life in the American Colonies (1607-1770)

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy New England Colonies Most people lived in towns Farming was main economic activity Long winters and thin, rocky soil made large scale farming difficult Most were subsistence farmers  grew only enough food to meet their own family’s needs

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy New England Colonies Shipbuilding & fishing were very important as well Grand Banks – area off coast of Newfoundland (one of the best fishing areas in the world)

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy The Middle Colonies Mild climate & fertile soil made farming more profitable Cash crops – foods that are grown to be sold Philadelphia & New York City become major ports Area was much more diverse…contained British, German, Dutch, Swedish, & other immigrants

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy The Southern Colonies Warm climate & rich soil made Southern colonies best place for large-scale farming Most settlers in the South made their money from agriculture & little industry developed Tobacco & rice are two major cash crops…both use slave labor

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy Growth of Slavery Triangular Trade Route  trade routes between Colonies, Caribbean, Africa, and Great Britain The Middle Passage Name given to the trans-Atlantic voyage on slave ships (middle step to America) 1st – capture from village 2nd – travel on ship from Africa to Caribbean 3rd – travel from Caribbean to America

Lesson 1 – Colonial Economy Growth of Slavery Life of the Slave Most lived on plantations Overseer – supervisor of slaves Slave Codes – laws put into place to restrict activities of slaves Slaves couldn’t leave plantation without permission Couldn’t teach slaves to read or write