Even though New England colonists typically did not have many slaves, they still benefitted from the system shown by this map. Using details from this map and Unit 2, explain why this was the case
The map shows the distribution of enslaved people throughout the different regions of the United States in 1790. It is true that New England colonists did not have as many slaves as the Southern colonies, but they still benefitted from the system in several ways.
Firstly, even though New England did not rely heavily on slave labor for agricultural purposes like the Southern colonies, they still participated in the slave trade. Many New England merchants were actively involved in the triangular trade, which involved trading goods, including slaves, between Europe, Africa, and the American colonies. They would trade rum and other goods produced in New England for enslaved Africans in West Africa, then transport them to the Southern colonies or the Caribbean to be sold as laborers on plantations. This trade brought significant economic benefits to New England, as it ensured a steady supply of raw materials from the Southern colonies and a market for their finished goods.
Additionally, slavery indirectly impacted New England's economy through industries that supported slave economies in other regions. For example, New England shipbuilders and sailors played a crucial role in transporting enslaved Africans across the Atlantic. They constructed and crewed the ships that facilitated the Middle Passage, the horrific journey enslaved Africans endured from Africa to the Americas. This maritime industry became a significant source of wealth and employment for New Englanders.
Furthermore, New England's industries, such as textiles, benefited from the cotton produced by enslaved labor in the South. The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, increased the profitability of cotton production and spurred its widespread cultivation in the Southern states. This created a demand for Northern-made goods, particularly textiles, to be used as trade goods with the South and for clothing slaves. New England factories capitalized on this opportunity, manufacturing textiles at a large scale and turning them into profitable commodities.
In conclusion, while New England colonists did not have as many slaves as the Southern colonies, they still profited from the system through their involvement in the slave trade, support of industries connected to slavery, and the economic benefits derived from trade with the slave-based agricultural regions.