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Questions and Answers
What was the primary purpose of tobacco production in the American colonies?
What was the primary purpose of tobacco production in the American colonies?
Which of the following colonies relied heavily on slavery, with over 40% of its population enslaved by 1700?
Which of the following colonies relied heavily on slavery, with over 40% of its population enslaved by 1700?
What was the primary crop cultivated by enslaved Africans in the Southern Colonies?
What was the primary crop cultivated by enslaved Africans in the Southern Colonies?
What was the significance of enslaved Africans' expertise in rice cultivation?
What was the significance of enslaved Africans' expertise in rice cultivation?
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What was the role of the American colonies in the Atlantic economy?
What was the role of the American colonies in the Atlantic economy?
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What was a characteristic of the social structure and living conditions on rice plantations?
What was a characteristic of the social structure and living conditions on rice plantations?
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What was the primary role of enslaved laborers in the Mid-Atlantic Colonies?
What was the primary role of enslaved laborers in the Mid-Atlantic Colonies?
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What was the significance of Massachusetts as a slave-holding colony in New England?
What was the significance of Massachusetts as a slave-holding colony in New England?
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What was the significance of the Carolinas in the colonial economy?
What was the significance of the Carolinas in the colonial economy?
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What was the role of enslaved Africans in the agricultural economy of the colonies?
What was the role of enslaved Africans in the agricultural economy of the colonies?
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What was a characteristic of enslaved laborers in the urban economy?
What was a characteristic of enslaved laborers in the urban economy?
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What was the significance of the colonies in the Atlantic economy?
What was the significance of the colonies in the Atlantic economy?
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What was the significance of the House of Burgesses passing its first comprehensive slave code in 1705?
What was the significance of the House of Burgesses passing its first comprehensive slave code in 1705?
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What was the primary role of the American colonies in the Atlantic economy?
What was the primary role of the American colonies in the Atlantic economy?
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What was a key idea that shaped how colonists believed they should be governed?
What was a key idea that shaped how colonists believed they should be governed?
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What was the significance of the social contract in the governance of colonies?
What was the significance of the social contract in the governance of colonies?
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Which of the following was NOT a key commodity produced by the American colonies?
Which of the following was NOT a key commodity produced by the American colonies?
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In the Mid-Atlantic colonies, enslaved laborers worked primarily on:
In the Mid-Atlantic colonies, enslaved laborers worked primarily on:
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What was a characteristic of the British governance of their American colonies?
What was a characteristic of the British governance of their American colonies?
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What was the primary role of enslaved Africans in the Carolinas?
What was the primary role of enslaved Africans in the Carolinas?
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Which of the following colonies relied heavily on slavery?
Which of the following colonies relied heavily on slavery?
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What was the primary crop cultivated in the Southern colonies?
What was the primary crop cultivated in the Southern colonies?
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What was the primary role of the colonies in the slave trade?
What was the primary role of the colonies in the slave trade?
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What was the significance of New York City in the context of slavery?
What was the significance of New York City in the context of slavery?
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Study Notes
Commodities and Trade in the American Colonies
- Tobacco was a key commodity produced by the colonials, particularly in Virginia, and was used as a currency for trade relations with Britain.
- Lumber was another important commodity, supplied by the North American colonies, especially to Barbados, where sugar plantation expansion had caused deforestation.
- Sugar was traded by British Caribbean colonies, providing food and raw materials in exchange for sugar.
- Rice became a staple crop in the Carolinas, valued for the expertise of enslaved Africans.
- Livestock, including cattle and horses, were supplied to the Caribbean colonies.
- The colonies were a source of raw materials, providing lumber and tobacco to Britain.
- The colonies created a lucrative market for British manufactured goods.
- Innovative trade and financing, such as commodity money and paper bills of credit, facilitated economic transactions.
- The colonies were integral to sugar production and provided food and raw materials to sugar-producing islands.
Role of Slavery in Colonial America
- In the Mid-Atlantic Colonies, slavery was integral to the economy, with enslaved laborers working on large farms growing cereal grains and in domestic service.
- New York City relied heavily on slavery, with over 40% of its population enslaved by 1700, and enslaved Africans worked in maritime trades and domestic service.
- In the Southern Colonies, slavery was foundational to the agricultural economy, mainly cultivating rice and tobacco.
- Enslaved Africans' expertise in rice cultivation, brought from West Africa, was crucial to the profitability of plantations.
- The harsh conditions on rice plantations led to a high prevalence of diseases, influencing the social structure and living conditions of both enslaved people and planters.
- In the Northern Colonies, such as Massachusetts, slavery was also present, with enslaved laborers working in skilled trades and domestic service, contributing to the urban economy.
Colonial Economy
- Tobacco was a key commodity produced in the American colonies, particularly in Virginia, and served as a currency for trade relations with Britain.
- Lumber was another key commodity supplied by the North American colonies, particularly to Barbados, where sugar plantation expansion had caused deforestation.
- Sugar was traded by British Caribbean colonies, providing food and raw materials in exchange for sugar.
- Rice became a staple crop in the Carolinas, valued by enslaved Africans for their expertise.
- Livestock was supplied by the colonies to the Caribbean colonies.
- The colonies supplied lumber and tobacco to Britain, making them a source of raw materials.
- The colonies created a lucrative market for British manufactured items.
- New forms of trade and financing, including commodity money and paper bills of credit, facilitated economic transactions.
- The colonies were integral to sugar production and provided food and raw materials to sugar-producing islands.
- The colonies were deeply involved in the slave trade, involving enslaved Africans in agricultural economies.
Role of Slavery in Colonial America
- In the Mid-Atlantic Colonies, slavery was integral to the economy, with enslaved laborers working on large farms and in domestic service.
- New York City relied heavily on slavery, with over 40% of its population enslaved by 1700, working in maritime trades and domestic service.
- In the Southern Colonies, slavery was foundational to the agricultural economy, mainly cultivating rice and tobacco.
- Enslaved Africans' expertise in rice cultivation, brought from West Africa, was crucial to the profitability of plantations.
- The harsh conditions on rice plantations led to a high prevalence of diseases, influencing the social structure and living conditions of both enslaved people and planters.
- In the Northern Colonies, Massachusetts, as the first slave-holding colony in New England, indicates the presence and significance of slavery even in the North.
- Enslaved laborers in the North often worked in skilled trades and domestic service, contributing to the urban economy.
Ideas Shaping Colonists' Beliefs on Governance
- Colonists believed in greater widespread involvement in government, contrasting with the oligarchic systems of Europe.
- The power of local judges and the importance of jury service reflected a belief in local autonomy and the significance of law at a community level.
- Lawyers and local politicians played crucial roles in politics.
- The idea of elected assemblies was rooted in the notion of civic duty, where men had a responsibility to support and uphold the government through voting, paying taxes, and militia service.
- The social contract, influenced by philosophers like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, suggested that government was established for the people.
- The importance of mutual obligations between the government and its citizens was underscored.
- Many colonists aspired to the principle of equality before the law, opposing special treatment for any members of society.
British Governance of American Colonies
- The British governed their American colonies through the appointment of governors.
- The governor's role included enforcing British laws, collecting taxes, and maintaining order.
- The British government also established a system of vice-admiralty courts to try cases related to smuggling and trade.
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Description
Explore the key commodities produced and traded in the American Colonies, including tobacco, lumber, sugar, and rice. Learn about their significance in trade relations with Britain and the Caribbean.
