Life in Colonial America:Chapter 2, Section 2

Geography shapes the physical, economic, and political challenges a region faces.

Although the regions of colonial America differed, an American identity was growing.

The Colonies Grow

Main idea: As the population of the colonies grew, agriculture and trade increased.

● Described as “fire and water”, early colonist never imagined that they would be united○ Jealousy among colonies

Commercial New England

● Not yet united, the grew independently○ Economic success + religious/political

freedom = more settlers want in● Winter/poor soil made New England farming

difficult, forced to practice subsistence farming (growing out of necessity, selling little)

● Shipbuilding industry grew○ Lumber came from NE forests, transported down rivers to

coastal towns/shipyards

Colonial Trade● NE (center of colonial trade) linked colonies

to world, most along triangular trade route○ Sugar/molasses from West

Indies to NE○ NE turned into rum/goods

and shipped to Africa○ Rum traded for slaves○ Slaves taken to West Indies

and sold to planters○ Profit used to buy sugar/

molasses

Growth of the Middle Colonies● Middle Colonies had better soil/

climate than NE○ Large farm land = large harvest = large profit○ NY and PA cash crops of wheat

■ Wheat/livestock shipped out from busy ports (became largest cities)

● Industries included carpentry, flour making, lumbering, mining, manufacturing○ Jobs attracted German/Dutch/Swedish giving Middle

Colonies diversity/tolerance

Plantation Life in the South● Best soil/climate = best/most profitable cash crops

○ Tobacco/rice/indigo grown on large plantations■ Owners used indentured servants, but switched to

enslaved Africans to save money■ Smaller/independent farms grew

corn/tobacco, working alongside family● Outnumbered large plantation owners, but

had less wealth/influence● Owners controlled economic/political life

Slavery in the Southern Colonies● Slavery/trade were major part of economy

○ Inhumane triangular trade (Middle Passage)● Most enslaved Africans worked on Southern

plantations, but some did housework○ Most experienced great cruelty○ Overseers worked them hard,

with strict slave codes about behavior/punishments

African Traditions

● Enslaved Africans had strong family ties, but were often torn apart, as slaveholders could/would split up/sell family members○ Found strength in African roots, developing culture based

on language, customs, religions of homeland○ Also learned trades (carpentry, blacksmithing, weaving) in

attempt to make wages/buy freedom

Criticism of Slavery

● Slavery played a big part in Souther economic success, just built on horrible notion (man owning man)○ Some didn’t believe in slavery/refused use (Puritans)○ Hot topic for debate, would eventually lead to a war...

1. Why could the Middle Colonies grow larger quantities of crops than the New England Colonies?

2. What was the difference between slaves and indentured servants?

3. Why were the Southern Colonies especially well suited for growing cash crops?

An Emerging Culture

Main idea: An American culture, influenced by religion and education, began to develop.

● Old traditions changed by new conditions/way of life○ New culture of religion, education, arts

The Great Awakening● Religious revival that swept through colonies

○ “A new birth”/return to strong faith of the past● Most important effect was greater

religious/political freedom in colonies○ More colonists had choice of faith○ “Official” established churches declined○ Emphasis on education grows

● United colonists, north to south, in common cause/idea for the first time

Education in the Colonies● Most colonists valued education

○ Children taught reading/writing at home● MA Puritans passed public education law

○ Each community must have a teacher, paid from taxes■ Not all did, but many 1) NE colonies, 2) Middle colonies (widespread), 3)

Southern colonies (limited/impractical mostly large landowners/professionals)○ Schools were primitive, by our standards

■ Few books, only 2-3 months a year, mostly boys● Education was closely related to religion (1st colleges made to

train ministers)○ Also influenced by Enlightenment (European movement) that

knowledge, reason, science could improve society○ Colonial scientist Benjamin Franklin influenced by Enlightenment,

helped guide colonies to freedom

The Press in America● Schools, colleges, books, newspapers,

almanacs spread knowledged○ Paper/print were expensive, books came from Europe○ 4-page newspapers printed

weekly, calendars, dates, sunrise/set, farming advice, poems, news, all published attracting readers

1. In what way did the Great Awakening have a powerful effect on the colonists’ religious freedom?

2. What was the Enlightenment, and what effect did it have in the colonies?

Colonial Government

Main idea: Although the American colonies developed some self-government, the British still set many laws, especially those concerning trade.

● English colonists brought with them two main principles - limited government and representative government○ Relied on these ideas as the formed government/laws

Self-Government in America● All 13 colonies began as one of three things

○ Charter colony (MA) grated rights by monarch or stockholders (like Virginia Company)

○ Proprietary colony (PA) owned by individual proprietor(s)○ Royal colony under direct English control

■ Parliament appointed governor/council (upper house)■ Colonists selected assembly (lower house)

● Led to conflicts over tax/trade

● Colonial legislatures gave few a voice in govnt○ Rich, white, land owning men ONLY○ Still more involved than in Europe

British Colonial Policies● Meanwhile...in Europe

○ England + Scotland = United Kingdom/British■ Most powerful trading empire

● For many years, Great Britain allowed colonies freedom to run local affairs, while controlling trade (mercantilism)○ Colonies produced raw materials, shipped them to GB and

traded for manufactured goods○ To control trade, Navigation Acts passed

■ Colonists HAD TO sell raw materials to GB, even if someone else would pay more

■ Goods bought by colonists had to be taxed before they could get them

■ Trade goods HAD to be brought on British ships by British crews

Colonial Resistance

● Colonists accepted trade laws (because they had to), guaranteed a place to sell material

● Soon resented restrictions○ Wanted to manufacture their own goods and sell wherever

they wanted to○ Merchants began smuggling goods in/out without paying

taxes or getting permission

1. How did Britain accumulate great wealth at the expense of the colonies?

2. What was the primary means of economic growth for the New England colonies and for the Southern Colonies?

3. What the triangular trade?

For next time... Intolerable Acts Continental Congressmilitia/minutemenCoercive ActsTea ActProclamation of 1763French and Indian WarSugar Actcommittee of correspondence