USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Colonial America depended on the natural environment to meet basic needs of the people and the colony. The available natural resources provided (or in essence dictated) what each region’s unique specialty would be or become. Specialized economies quickly emerged as a result of human and environmental interaction.

Detailed explanation-2: -How did resources affect the economies of the colonies? The resources in their environment affected the raw materials and industries of the colony regions. Why were church leaders and gentry members of the upper class? Because of the wealth and importance in society.

Detailed explanation-3: -The colonies developed into three distinct regions: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Each region developed a different economy and society. Cold winters, short growing season, and a rugged landscape. Temperate climate, longer growing season, landscape of fields and valleys.

Detailed explanation-4: -The colonial economy was a mercantile system, in which Britain controlled the production and trade of colonial goods. Usually, the colonists were only allowed to produce raw materials, which Britain then turned into finished products and sold back to the colonists at a higher price.

Detailed explanation-5: -The southern colonies had large plantations that grew tobacco or cotton and required slave labor, while northern colonies had small family farms. Learn more about the economics of the 13 British colonies with these classroom resources.