5.3 Notes
The Colonial Economy
The Southern Colonies
 Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina

The economies of the southern colonies depended on agriculture
o Agriculture= farming

They also exported materials for ship building, such as wood and tar

There were both small farms and large plantations in the southern colonies

Farms were successful because of a warm climate and a long growing
season
(Think about Ohioans going to Myrtle Beach for vacation)

Cash Crops – crops that are sold for a profit
o Tobacco, rice, and indigo were the most important cash crops

Crops like indigo and rice required many workers to grow and harvest
Slaves in the South
 The success of tobacco also led to an increase in the demand for tobacco,
which led to more slaves

Slaves did most of the hard labor on large plantations

When a job was finished, slaves were sometimes allowed to do their own
work.

Sometimes a slave would be able to earn enough money to buy their
freedom

Slave Codes- laws that controlled slaves
o Prevented slaves from rebelling

In SC, slaves could not hold meetings or_own weapons

Some colonies did not let slaveholders free their slaves
The New England Colonies
 Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island

Harsh Climate and poor soil led to fewer farms and cash crops
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
Some people owned slaves, but they were not as important to the economy
as in the south

Trade was extremely important to New England’s economy

Businessmen traded goods locally, with other colonies and overseas

Fishing and _shipbuilding_ were two of the region’s leading industries
o _Whaling also became very popular

Whale oil was used for lighting lanterns

Whale meat was eaten
o Shipbuilding was also very prosperous because of the following
reasons

Large # of _forests_ in the area

Local _fishing_industries needed ships

Ships were also needed for _trading_ other goods

The New England economy allowed for skilled _craftspeople_ to flourish

Families sent __younger sons__ to learn skilled trades like blacksmithing,
weaving, shipbuilding, and printing.

_Apprentices_- young boys who learned skilled _trades___ from a master
craftsman
The Middle Colonies
 Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York

Combined qualities of New England and southern colonies

Had a _decent growing season and __rich__ land, which led to many __farms_

__Staple Crops__- crops that are always needed
o Ex: _Wheat, barley, oats____

Slaves___ were also important to the middle colonies
o They worked as ____skilled laborers____, such as blacksmiths and
__carpenters__
o Some worked on farms, on ships, in dockyards, or _shipbuilding_

_Trade__ and ___Free enterprise___ were important to the middle colonies

Merchants also exported ___local goods__ to Britain and the West Indies
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Women and the Colonial Economy
 Women made many important _contributions_ to the local economies
o __Ran farms____
o Ran businesses such as clothing stores, ____bakeris___, grocery stores,
and ____drug stores__
o Some were _nurses__ or __midwives_ (help to deliver __children_)

Laws and customs put ______restrictions____ on women’s freedoms
o Needed husband’s permission to ___work outside the home________
o Husband has the right to wife’s ___income__.
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