The relationship between Britain and her colonies in North America

1. The relationship between Britain and her colonies in North America

2. 13 Colonies

3. New England Colonies • Economic • Small farms, raised live stock, exported some natural resource – lumber and cod • Made most of their money from carrying out the trade between England and the colonies • Fewer wealthy families but more economic equality • Major city - Boston • Social Patterns • Middle class, mainly families, largest in population by 1700 • Schooling more available – highest literacy rate • Puritan beliefs dominated the colonies • Thrift, diligence, morality, honor God by working hard, pray devoutly, read the bible, obey God’s will • Few African Americans

4. Middle Colonies • Economic • Family farms which were very successful • Able to export farm goods (wheat) • Grew rapidly in the 1700 • Major city Philadelphia and New York • Social Patterns • Large European immigrant population • Became the most culturally diverse region • Religious tolerance • Few African Americans

5. Southern Colonies • Economic • Large plantation along the cost which raised the most valuable of colonial crops • Tobacco (cotton is not until 1790s) • Few wealthy large plantation owners most common small farmers • Families with small farms settled inland (hillier) • Social • Early settlers were single young men seeking work on a farm to own a farm letter • Indentured servants • Few immigrants • Most of the African American population lived in the South • Illiteracy most common in the South

6. Economic Relationship • Based on Mercantilism • An economic system in which nations seek to increase their wealth and power • Obtain as much gold as possible • Establish a favorable balance of trade • Favorable Balance of Trade • Country exports more then it imports • Sells more then it buys • Colonies were the key • They exported raw material to the mother country • Bought finished products from the mother country • Decreased the mother countries dependence on foreign nations • Colonies exist to serve the interests fo the mother country

7. Controlling Colonial Trade • England say colonies as the key to imperial power • Colonies played role as provider and supplier • Could collect money threw import taxes (goods coming into the colonies) • To control colonial trade • Passed the Navigation Acts

8. The Navigation Acts mid 1600s • 1. Goods were shipped only on Colonial or English ships • 2. Crews must be ¾ English or Colonial • 3. Valuable exports go only to England • Tobacco and sugar • 4. Imports only came from England • Had to pay a custom duty (tax)

9. It worked • English trade with its colony increased • English shipping trade doubled • The value of English imports and exports increased • By 1600 English trade was global and England became a wealthier country

10. But……………… • The colonies were so far away……across the Atlantic Ocean • hard to enforce the laws • So England practiced Salutary Neglect • Lessened the supervision as long as England of the lion’s share of the wealth • Much smuggling went on • Colonist traded with the West Indies • Colonist established trade routes all over the Western Hemisphere • Not only in trade but government as well • Colonist were able to establish and develop their own legislative bodies to make laws which regulated each colony • Everything is fine until England ends Salutary Neglect