New England and the Middle Colonies

Main Idea – A diverse economy in New England & Middle Colonies drives the development of cities.

The Middle Colonies

Economy of the Middle Colonies

• Cash Crop = Wheat • Wheat Boom – Climate in Europe early 1700’s– Population increases in Europe–More people come to America –Wheat farmers get wealthier– Leads to rise of Entrepreneurs &

Capitalists–Major cities develop where the rivers

empty into the ocean – WHY?

Subsistence (+) Farmers

Landless Tenant Farmers

WealthyWheatFarmers

Middle ColonySocial Structure

Who is Who?

• Wealthy Wheat Farmers ––Wheat Boom leads to entrepreneurs and

capitalists

• Subsistence (+) Farmers – – Grew a bit more than they needed

• Tenant Farmers – –Work someone else’s land

New England Colonies

A Diverse Economy• No one major cash

crop• Lumber – Ships & Furniture

• Whaling– Perfume– Lamp Oil

• Fishing• Fur• Rum

New England Society• Small town vs

Plantation

• Town Meetings

• Birthplace of the idea of

Representative Government in New World

Merchants

Artisans

Unskilled Laborers

Indentured Servant- Not many

Slaves – relatively few

Urban SocialStructure

Triangular Trade

The Imperial System

Main Idea – England adopts policies to make trade with the American colonies more profitable

Mercantilism

Mercantilism = Economic system where the mother country establishes colonies where there are raw materials. They take raw materials from colonies, manufacture products, then sell them to the colonies

The Navigation Acts• Navigation Act 1660 – All goods imported / exported must go

on English ships– Certain raw materials can only be sold

to England (tobacco, lumber, indigo, others)

• Staple Act 1663– All imports to colonies must pass

through England• The purpose of the Acts was to

control trade in the colonies and increase profits for England

Colonial Response• Massachusetts ignores Acts– Smuggling– Colonies don’t need to

obey laws not in their best interests

• King James II revokes colonial charters– Appoints Royal Governor– Dominion of New England

• Land Titles worthless• Only Anglican marriages

recognized• Churches/Meetinghouses

used for Anglicans

English Bill of Rights

No absolute power

Parliament must approve taxes and use of army

Freedom of speech in Parliament

Impartial Jury

John Locke• English philosopher• Ruler’s power comes from the people• All people have natural rights– Life– Liberty– Property

• If a government violates a people’s rights, they can over throw the government