5.3 Colonial Economies

Essential Questions How does a colony’s geography affect its economy? Describe the economies of the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies

The Southern Colonies  Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina  The economies of the southern colonies depended on agriculture o Agriculture= farming  They also exported materials for ship building, such as wood and tar  There were both small farms and large plantations in the southern colonies

The Southern Colonies  Farms were successful because of a warm climate and a long growing season (Think about Ohioans going to Myrtle Beach for vacation)  Cash Crops – crops that are sold for a profit o Tobacco, rice, and indigo were the most important cash crops  Crops like indigo and rice required many workers to grow and harvest

Slaves in the South  The success of tobacco also led to an increase in the demand for tobacco, which led to more slaves  Slaves did most of the hard labor on large plantations  When a job was finished, slaves were sometimes allowed to do their own work.

Slaves in the South  Sometimes a slave would be able to earn enough money to buy their freedom  Slave codes- laws that controlled slaves o Prevented slaves from rebelling  In SC, slaves could not hold meetings or own weapons  Some colonies did not let slaveholders free their slaves

The New England Colonies  Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island  Harsh climate and poor soil led to fewer farms and cash crops  Some people owned slaves, but they were not as important to the economy as in the south  Trade was extremely important to New England’s economy  Businessmen traded goods locally, with other colonies, and overseas

The New England Colonies  Fishing and shipbuilding were two of the region’s leading industries o Whaling also became very popular  Whale oil was used for lighting lanterns  Whale meat was eaten o Shipbuilding was also very prosperous because of the following reasons  Large # of forests in the area  Local fishing industries needed ships  Ships were also needed for trading other goods

The New England Colonies  The New England economy allowed for skilled craftspeople to flourish  Families sent younger sons to learn skilled trades like blacksmithing, weaving, shipbuilding, and printing.  Apprentices- young boys who learned skilled trades from a master craftsman

The Middle Colonies  Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York  Combined qualities of New England and southern colonies  Had a good growing season and rich land, which led to many farms  Staple Crops- crops that are always needed o Ex: wheat, barley, oats

The Middle Colonies  Slaves were also important to the middle colonies o They worked as skilled laborers, such as blacksmiths and carpenters o Some worked on farms, on ships, in dockyards, or shipbuilding  Trade and free enterprise were important to the middle colonies  Merchants also exported local goods to Britain and the West Indies

Women and the Colonial Economy  Women made many important contributions to the local economies o Ran farms o Ran businesses such as clothing stores, bakeries, grocery stores, and drug stores o Some were nurses or midwives (help to deliver children)  Laws and customs put restrictions on women’s freedoms o Needed husband’s permission to work outside the home o Husband has the right to wife’s income