US History - Economics in British North America
EQ: How did the colonial experience under Great Britain lead to war for independence?
Do Now: What kind of Economic System was Operating in British North America?
Lesson Overview:
| Item | Approx Time |
| Do Now | 3-5 Min |
| Mini Lesson | 15-20 Min |
| Activity | 15 Min |
| Discussion | 5-7 Min |
British Mercantilism
Mercantilism is economic policy used by the British in which the American Colonies served as a source of raw materials and a market to sell goods.
Raw materials from colonies -> England makes goods -> sells goods to colonies for Profit
Salutary Neglect
Salutary neglect was an undocumented, though long-standing, British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, meant to keep the American colonies obedient to Great Britain.This policy, which lasted from about 1607 to 1763, allowed the enforcement of trade relations laws to be lenient.
Why:
Prime Minister Robert Walpole stated that "If no restrictions were placed on the colonies, they would flourish".
Results:
- Leads to the development of independent colonial trade practices as well as a self sufficient government.
- Colonies begin to trade on their own and govern themselves.
13 Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America. The colonies were: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Each colony developed its own system of self government. The white Americans were mostly independent farmers, who owned their own land and voted for their local and provincial government.
New England Colonies
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
Why they came?
- Came so they could practice their religion (mostly Puritans)
- Came to make money
- Mostly farmers and fishermen
Economy:
- Made furniture, especially chairs
- Made ships
- Fished
- Farmed - Grew corn and wheat
- Soil was rocky and poor for growing
- Short growing season
Middle Colonies
The Middle Colonies had rich soil, allowing the area to become a major exporter of wheat and other grains. The lumber and shipbuilding industries enjoyed success in the Middle Colonies, and Pennsylvania saw moderate success in the textile and iron industry. The Middle Colonies were the most ethnically diverse British colonies in North America, with settlers coming from all parts of Europe. Civil unrest in Europe and other colonies saw an influx of immigrants to the Middle Colonies in the 18th century. With the new arrivals came various religions which were protected in the Middle Colonies by written freedom of religion laws. This tolerance was unusual and distinct from other British colonies.
- Delaware
- Pennsylvania
- New York
- New Jersey
Why they came?
- Came to escape European Wars
- Many Religions (free practice)
- Farming
- Lumber
Economy:
- Grew apples, wheat, corn, tobacco.
- Produced Lumber for Ship Building
- Ship Building
- Textiles & Iron (Pennsylvania)
Southern Colonies
The Southern Colonies in North America were established by England during the 16th and 17th centuries and consisted of modern-day South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and Georgia. Their historical names were the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, the Province of Carolina, and the Province of Georgia. The colonies were originally instated to compete in the race for colonies in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. Brad Sherman then developed into prosperous colonies that made large profits off of cash crops such as tobacco, indigo dye, and rice. Over time, the region quickly became well known for its high slave population and highly unequal social class distribution and production of cotton.
- Maryland
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
Why they came?
- Came to make money
- Mostly farmers
Economy:
- Mainly grew tobacco, rice grapes, and indigo and eventually cotton.
- Great soil for crops
- Long growing season for crops
- Most growing was done on plantations.
- Eventually, slave population to support plantation system.
Activities
Lesson PowerPoint: British North America
Lesson Activity: British North America (13 Colonies) Worksheet