History Homework
PG 106
#1
While the population of America was growing and growing, farming became the most important economic activity in the colonies. Though New England was a very good place to live (babies didn’t die because of diseases of childhood as often as they did in other places, and the adults became older then anywhere else) , their farms were smaller than in southern America. The owners of the farms practiced subsistence farming which means that they only produced as much food as they needed for their families.
As the trade expanded, the eastern colonies’ cities became the center for trade in America. From there, the traders were able to ship goods to other colonies and the West Indies.
The Americans discovered different sea routes for trading with England: Some went straight from the West Indies to Europe and back, others used routes called the triangular trade. These routes were triangle shaped, for example: One leg of it was from the Caribbean Sea to the New Englands’ colonies, carrying sugar and molasses. The next ships sailed with rum (made out of the brought molasses), iron and tools to West Africa. There, the goods were exchanged for gold and pepper, but mainly for African slaves, which were shipped back to the West Indies.
As the opposite of the New England’s colonies where the climate and thin, rocky soil made it hard to farm efficiently, the Middle colonies had better conditions. Their weather was milder and they enjoyed a fertile soil, so the famers were able to use large areas of land for their harvests.
In Pennsylvania and New York, the farmers delevoped the principle of cash crops, wheat and other crops that were easy to sell in the colonies and overseas.
#2
The middle colonies grew cash crops, they made home-based crafts (e.g. carpentry, flour making), but also larger businesses (e.g. lumbering, mining, small-scale manufacturing).
#3
The colonies in New England had some natural resources they used for their economy. colonies in New England had some natural resources they used for their economy.
To run mills for grinding grain and sawing lumber, waterpower from streams had been used. Furthermore, if women produced to many of their goods (clothes, garments, soaps, candles etc.), they sold or traded with them. In larger towns, people that were skilled enough could get a job such as a shoemaker, metalsmith or printer.
In areas where ships were built, the New England’s forest woods were used as lumber for the ships. Moreover, fishing was important to the economy. Due to the big variety of goods, the colonies were able to trade with other colonies or the West Indies, so they were able to make money.
#4
Similarities Differences
New England Economic acti- long winters; thin, rocky soil
vities
Southern Colonies rich soil; warm climate; used slaves
#5
Most of the plantation owners in Southern America had slaves working on their fields. To make sure they were working hard, the farmers had oversees (bosses) watching the Africans. Most of them lived in cruel conditions on the plantations.
The owners probably justified their owning of persons with the argument of economic success. They used the slaves for the common good.
#6
Goods from British colonies to Great Britain:
Rice, tobacco, indigo, furs
Goods from the West Indies to the British colonies:
Goods, molasses
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