MC

New England Economic Foundations vs Virginia (Summary)

New England Economic Foundations

  • Geography: rocky soil, short growing season, cooler climate; no cash crops like tobacco common in Virginia.
  • Economic shift: less export-oriented agriculture; focus on subsistence farming and diversified activities.

Subsistence Farming and Family Labor

  • Crops: wheat, corn, potatoes; garden crops; livestock; not in high demand in England.
  • Family labor: Puritan emphasis on family migration; sons work with fathers from around age 10.
  • Social class: middling sort (middle class) enabled whole-family migration.

Labor and Population

  • Indentured servants/slavery: very little; only 2\% of the population were indentured servants or slaves.

Primary Economic Activities

  • Fur trading: regional activity; demand from Europe.
  • Fishing: cod predominant; exports to England and Europe.
  • Shipbuilding: Boston became one of the largest shipbuilding centers; third largest in the English empire behind Bristol and London.
  • Lumber: abundant trees → export lumber; support shipbuilding.
  • Trade: vessels sail to England and the West Indies.

West Indies and Trade Connections

  • West Indies economy based on slavery and cash crops.
  • NE exported staple foods to the West Indies (e.g., wheat, fish) to support colonial trade networks.

Growth, Health, and Population Dynamics

  • Material success linked to religious favor; strong Puritan work ethic.
  • Health: fast-moving rivers reduced malaria; family-based travel promoted natural reproduction.
  • Population growth: natural increase outpaced periodic immigration.

Population and Demographics (Long-Term Comparison)

  • 17th century immigrants to New England: 21{,}000
  • Immigrants to Chesapeake: 120{,}000; to West Indies: 190{,}000
  • By 1700: New England population 91{,}000; Chesapeake 85{,}000; West Indies 33{,}000
  • NE noted as healthiest, most populous, and most egalitarian in property distribution, despite not being the wealthiest region.

Quick Contrast Summary

  • New England: diversified, non-cash-crop economy (subsistence farming, shipbuilding, fishing, fur, lumber, trade); strong family labor; low slavery; healthier, more balanced growth; tied to Puritan religious and social values.
  • Virginia/Chesapeake: warmer climate, cash crops (e.g., tobacco) with plantation economy; more slavery/indentured servitude; different settlement pattern and growth dynamics.