Colonial Economy

Economic Diversity:

-South= Agriculture -North = Commerce

-Towns and citiesdevelop along water

Economy

• Mercantilism

– Economic policy– Europe– Way to get rich– Export more than you import

Effect= Britain creates rules for colonial trade

Commerce and Immigrants (New England)

• Port cities– Boston– Immigrant population increases due to

religious freedom and economic opportunities (German, Scotch-Irish, Dutch)

– More towns in North than Southern colonies– Use town meetings to govern

New England Colonies

• Shipbuilding

• Fishing

• Smaller farms self-sufficient

Middle Colonies’ Economy

• Diverse in people and business

• Less slaves – Shops, homes and farms

Middle Colonies’ Economy• Farming

– Wheat, barley, rye

• Commerce– Access to water– Shipping overseas– New York and Philadelphia

Southern Economy

• John Rolfe and tobacco– Virginia, Maryland, NC

• Plantations develop– Need for labor– Indentured servants

• Agree to work for landowner• 4-7 years

– slavery

Southern Plantation Systems

• Exported cash crops to make money• Creates:

(1) Large farms around rivers (2) Need for lots of labor (3) Wealthy class of plantation owners

Slave Trade

• First slaves were captured Native Americans

• African slave trade flourished by 1700s• Slaves endured a harsh voyage: Middle

Passage• Widespread use in Southern colonies