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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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