Note: Your teacher will grade your responses to 13 and 14 to ensure you receive proper credit for your answers.
Describe the primary economic activity for each of the three colonial regions: the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Explain how the geography of each region helped determine its economy Make sure you answer all parts of the question. Land/climate and economy for all three regions. Include specific crops grown in certain regions as well.
The primary economic activity of the New England Colonies was trade. The region had a rocky terrain and a harsh climate, which made agriculture difficult. Instead of relying on farming, the New England Colonies focused on industries such as fishing, shipbuilding, and trade. They had access to the Atlantic Ocean, which facilitated trade with the other colonies and Europe. The region also had abundant forests, which provided timber for shipbuilding, as well as access to fish in the Atlantic Ocean. Some specific crops grown in the New England Colonies included corn, barley, wheat, and flax.
The primary economic activity of the Middle Colonies was agriculture. The region had fertile soil and a moderate climate, which made it suitable for farming. The Middle colonies produced a variety of crops, such as wheat, barley, corn, oats, and rye. They also raised livestock, including cattle and hogs. The combination of good soil, favorable climate, and access to major rivers like the Hudson and Delaware rivers helped the Middle Colonies become known as the "Breadbasket" of the colonies. The fertile soil allowed for large-scale farming and the rivers facilitated transportation and trade.
The primary economic activity of the Southern Colonies was agriculture, specifically the plantation system. The region had a warm climate and rich fertile soil, ideal for cash crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo. Tobacco was the main crop grown in the Chesapeake Bay area, particularly in Virginia and Maryland. Rice was cultivated in the low-lying coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia, where the wet conditions were suitable for its growth. The Southern Colonies also relied heavily on enslaved labor to work on the large plantations. The geography of the region, with its warm climate and fertile soil, made it ideal for large-scale agriculture and the establishment of the plantation system.