Chapter 3 - Section 1

Staple Crop

A crop that is in constant demand, such as cotton, wheat, or rice

Duty

A tax on imports

Balance of Trade

Difference in value between imports and exports

Mercantilism

Economic theory that a country should acquire as much bullion, or gold and silver as possible by exporting more goods than it imports

Parliament

England's Parliament was made up of representatives of the people. It has the power to make laws and approve taxes

Salutary Neglect

Great Britain's policy in the early 1700s of not interfering in the American colonies' politics and economy as long as such neglect served British economic interests

How did geography affect the economies of Britain's colonies in America?

In the south there were large amounts of good and fertile land for farming. Massive plantations growing cash crops were being worked on by slaves which brought in lots of wealth to England. The Middle Colonies were a mix of farming and trading. The land allowed the growth of grains like wheat and barley, which were very profitable. Trading was more important in the larger cities like New York and Philadelphia. The New England colonies were made up of small farms in towns that depended on long distance trade. In the North they relied on carrying trade where traders hauled goods from England to the West Indies and to New England and then to Africa, this was the triangular trade.

What effect did mercantilism have on European politics?

Mercantilism caused more and more European countries to fight one another over territory and trade routes instead of religion. For example, England fought wars against the Dutch over control of trade and land in North America, they ended up conquering the Dutch colony of New Netherlands and renaming it to New York. It also made Charles II and James to tighten their grasp on the colonies.

Why did mercantilists consider colonies so important?

Mercantilists believed that a country should try to get as much gold and silver as possible. The more gold and silver a country had, the wealthier and powerful it would be. Mercantilists saw the colonies as an opportunity to harvest raw materials and sell products. Any gold that the colonies received would be sent to the parent country which would make them wealthier and powerful.

How did England tighten control over colonial trade?

The Navigation Act tightened English control over colonial trade by requiring the colonies to sell certain goods only to England. Colonists could only sell goods to other parts of the world by paying a duty. English ships were the only ships they could for all their trade. These new rules set by England discouraged trade between the Americas and other European nations.

Navigation Act

tightened English control over colonial trade by requiring the colonies to sell certain goods only to England If colonists wanted to sell goods to other parts of the world they had to pay a duty, or tax, on it

Why were the governors of England's royal colonies not really the dominant power holders?

The governors of England's royal colonies weren't the dominant power holders because they can't create or pass laws about defense and taxation. The colonial legislatures were the ones that came to dominate the colonial governments. The legislature could even set the salaries for royal officials.

Why did southern colonies become increasingly dependent on enslaved Africans

There were large plantations in the south and they needed free labor. Africans were great workers because they didn't need to be paid which meant the owners gained more money and expanded their plantation to grow more crops and gain even more money.

Triangular Trade

Trade between the Americas, Europe, and Africa