New England’s Economy Lesson 3

Fishing and Whaling Many New England towns prospered because of good fishing near the ocean. Some people prospered because they killed whales for the blubber to make oil. Oil made from blubber was used in a lamp for light. This oil did not smoke badly or smell bad.

Trading A lot of money was made trading to the Caribbean and England. The English government wanted colonists to send their exports ONLY to England or an English colony. The colonists were expected to only BUY English imports or goods.

Colonists sent fur, lumber and dried fish. England sent tea, spices, cloth and shoes.

Other trading ships followed the triangular trade routes. These routes connected New England, England, and Africa. Many slave ships went on this triangular journey. Africans suffered or died on slave ships. The slave trade business was cruel. As early as the 1700s some colonists fought to end slavery.

Shipbuilding & Lumber Many colonists gained wealth from the shipbuilding industry. Lumber was a major export. Coopers made barrels from lumber. People used barrels to store grain and carry fish and meat. In 1700s 1/3 of all English ships were made in America.