Colonial Economy and Life Objectives 1.1,1.2,1.4 Geographic regions and self government

Starter Which group of colonists had the most religious freedom?

Mercantilism Colonies had a lucrative trade with England; it all revolved around a theory called mercantilism. Mercantilism is based on 2 ideas: 1. Obtain as much gold/silver as possible 2. Establish a favorable “balance of trade” (export or sell more than you import or buy).

The Southern Colonies In the south, most people are turning to farming-cash crops like tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo). The South has a distinct culture & is very rural. Indentured servants were used as field hands. They were subject to cruel treatment & many never got their freedom.

Slavery in the Southern Colonies Due to a labor shortage in the south, they began to use slaves from Africa (by 1750 there were 200,000). Slaves were brought here on ships (thru the Triangular Trade Route) and endured the Middle Passage (long, hard journey on ships across the Atlantic).

The Northern Colonies The northern colonies had a diverse economy: shipping, industry, and farming. Most people lived in cities that were overcrowded, dirty, poor, full of diseases. Some did own slaves. Women were beginning to work outside the home.

Salem Witchcraft Trials 1692 Several young girls accused a slave of witchcraft, that led to a trial in which the girls received a lot of attention. When it was all over 150 had been imprisoned, 19 hanged, & 6 other deaths. The religious hysteria spread to other colonies

New Ideas Enlightenment brought new ideas about the world. Obtain truth through experimentation & reasoning. Great Awakening was a religious movement in the 1730s & 40s led by Jon Edwards New movements in religion & science result in people questioning Britain’s control!

English rule challenged French & Indian War war between France & England for control of North America. French wanted the fur trade & allied themselves with the Indians. War ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, that said England gets all of North America east of the Mississippi River, Spain got the western land, & France go the land in Canada.