1. Economies of Colonial America
A look at the Thirteen Colonies

2. 13 Colonies
England

3. England’s American Colonies
There were 3 groups of Colonies
New England
Colonies
Middle Colonies
Southern Colonies

4. New England Colonies Connecticut Massachusetts New Hampshire
Rhode Island

5. Middle Colonies
Delaware
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania

6. Southern Colonies Georgia Maryland North Carolina South Carolina
Virginia

7. Atlantic Slave Trade

8. Capture The original capture of slaves was almost always violent
As European demand grew, African chieftains organized raiding parties to seize individuals from neighboring societies
Others launched wars specifically for the purpose of capturing slaves

9. Iron, Metal goods
Sugar and Molasses
Slaves and Gold

10. Middle Passage
Following capture, slaves were forced into holding pens before being loaded on to ships
The trans-Atlantic journey was called the “Middle Passage”
The ships were filthy, hot, and crowded

11. Middle Passage
Crews attempted to keep as many slaves alive as possible to maximize profits, but treatment was extremely cruel
Some slaves refused to eat and crew members used tools to pry open their mouths and force-feed them
Sick slaves were cast overboard to prevent infection from spreading

12. Middle Passage
During the early days of the slave trade, mortality rates were as high as 50%
As the volume of trade increased and conditions improved (bigger ships, more water, better nourishment and facilities), mortality eventually declined to about 5%

13. Middle Passage
Most ships provided slaves with enough room to sit upright, but not enough to stand
Others forced slaves to lie in chains with only 20 inches of space between them

14. The Southern Economy Large Plantations Agriculture Raw materials
Cash Crops- crops grown mainly to be sold for a profit
Tobacco, rice, and indigo

15. The Southern Economy
Plantations required a good amount of harsh physical labor.
By the 1700’s enslaved Africans were the main work force
Slave Codes- laws created to control slaves

16. The New England Colonies
Had harsh environment with poor rocky soil
Crops were hard to grow
No big plantations, no need for many slaves
Used own labor

17. The New England Colonies
Fishing
Timber
Shipbuilding
Shipping ports became center of economy
Traded a variety of goods

18. The Middle Colonies Is a mix of commerce and agriculture
Good farming land
Long growing season
Grew staple crops- crops that are always in demand
Wheat, barley, and oats
Also raised live stock

19. The Middles Colonies Made use of Slaves
Indentured Servants- people contracted to work for set amount of time, then freed
Good shipping ports
New York, Philadelphia