The Economics of the Colonies: Mercantilism and Slavery

1. The Economics of the Colonies: Mercantilismand Slavery Colonial America

2. Mercantilism • This is the economic philosophy England followed during the 17th and 18th centuries. • In general, mercantilism means that a country has more gold coming into a country than is leaving. You sell (exports) more than you buy (imports).

3. Trade • England encouraged settlement in the American colonies to provide England more markets to sell their goods in. • England placed strict trade laws on the colonies to ensure that the mother country, not the colony itself, would always be the beneficiary therefore keeping the balance of trade favorable. • Generally, the colonies had to buy all manufactured goods from England and sell England all their raw materials. • Salutary Neglect- It will not be until 1763 that England will try to enforce these laws. The colonies benefited from this neglect.

4. Triangular Trade • The colonists evaded many of the navigation laws and partook in the triangular trade. • The triangular trade is how the colonists purchased their slaves. • The trade involved the colonies, Africa, and the West Indies’ sugar islands

5. Slavery Origins in America • The first Africans arrived to Virginia in 1619 as indentured servants. • It was not until 1700 that slaves became the majority of the southern labor force.

6. The Middle Passage • This was the leg from Africa to the West Indies. • Millions died due to lack of water, air, and sickness.

7. Slave Laws • It was not until the slave population grew large that colonies, especially the southern colonies, began to develop harsh slave codes/laws. • By the eighteenth-century in America, it was clear that slavery was racial – slave=black.

8. North Labor in the North was relatively easier as far as physical exertion Mostly domestic, not agricultural labor Slaves had little access to their African culture South Labor was physical and arduous Often lived in large kin groups were they could maintain much of their African culture and develop families North vs. South

9. Slave Resistance • Slaves did resist, but not overtly, except on a few occasions. • Understanding violence would be met with violence or death, they dragged their feet, feigned sickness, or pretended they did not know how to do a task correctly.