The Regions of British Colonies (APUSH Period 2) 2.3

Summary

This video explores the distinct regions of the British North American colonies, starting with the Chesapeake, New England, middle colonies, and southern regions. It highlights how each developed unique economies and cultures, with the Chesapeake reliant on tobacco and indentured servitude, while New England focused on religious community and mixed economy. The middle colonies were known for their diversity, and the southern colonies and West Indies thrived on plantation economies. The video also touches on the colonies' relative independence from British control before 1763, setting the stage for future developments.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The first British North American colonies were established in the Chesapeake region, including Virginia and Maryland.
• 🚢 The Virginia Company of London was created to finance the Jamestown colony, using joint-stock companies to raise money and share risks.
• 🌾 Tobacco became the cash crop of the Chesapeake region, leading to a labor-intensive economy initially supported by white indentured servants.
• 📜 The Mayflower Compact was signed by male colonists aboard the Mayflower, establishing basic government through majority rule in Plymouth Colony.
• 🏛️ The Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by Puritans seeking to create a 'city upon a hill,' an ideal religious community.
• 🌾 The New England colonies were characterized by small towns with family farms and a mixed economy of farming and trade.
• 🌐 The Middle Colonies were known for their cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, attracting a broad range of European migrants.
• 🌾 The Middle Colonies had an export economy based on cereal crops and other items, contributing to their economic prosperity.
• 🌴 The Southern Colonies and British West Indies developed plantation economies with long growing seasons, focusing on cash crops like sugar cane, rice, and tobacco.
• 🔗 The reliance on cash crops in the Southern Colonies and West Indies led to a significant dependence on the labor of enslaved Africans.
• 🏛️ Despite being under British authority, the colonies developed self-governing institutions, reflecting a degree of democracy unusual for the time.

Q & A

What were the first British North American colonies founded in?

The first British North American colonies were founded in the Chesapeake region, which included the colonies of Virginia and Maryland.

When was the first permanent British colony established and where?

The first permanent British colony was established at Jamestown in Virginia in 1607.

What was the Virginia Company of London and why was it created?

The Virginia Company of London was created to finance the Jamestown colony. It was a joint-stock company that allowed money to be raised for colonization and for the risks associated with colonization to be shared by many investors.

What challenges did the Jamestown colony face initially?

Initially, the Jamestown colony faced numerous challenges including starvation, disease, and a lack of organization, which led to desperate measures such as cannibalism.

How did the situation in Jamestown improve?

The situation in Jamestown improved after the colonists received help from the local Powhatan tribe, and after John Smith established military discipline and another John discovered the profitability of exporting tobacco.

What crop became the cash crop for the Chesapeake region and why?

Tobacco became the cash crop for the Chesapeake region because it was labor-intensive and profitable, leading to its widespread cultivation.

Who were the laborers in the Chesapeake region initially and how did this change over time?

Initially, labor in the Chesapeake region was done by white indentured servants from Europe. Over time, this shifted to primarily enslaved people from Africa, especially after Bacon's Rebellion in 1676.

What was the main goal of the Puritans in the New England colonies?

The main goal of the Puritans in the New England colonies was to live out God's plan and establish a city upon a hill, an ideal religious community that could serve as an example to the rest of the world.

How did the economic focus differ between the Chesapeake and New England colonies?

The Chesapeake colonies focused on cash crops like tobacco, while the New England colonies relied on a mixed economy of farming and trade, with an emphasis on small towns and family farms.

What was unique about the Middle Colonies in terms of demographics?

The Middle Colonies featured great cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity due to a broad range of European migrants, resulting in societies with a mix of different groups such as Quakers, Scots, Irish, Germans, and others.

What were the economic activities of the Middle Colonies?

The Middle Colonies relied on an export economy based on cereal crops and other items, reflecting a diverse agricultural and trading focus.

How did the Southern Colonies and the British West Indies differ in terms of staple crops?

In the Southern Colonies, staple crops included rice, tobacco, and eventually cotton, while in the British West Indies, the main crop was sugar cane.

What was the impact of the cash crop economy on the labor force in the Southern Colonies and the British West Indies?

The cash crop economy in the Southern Colonies and the British West Indies led to a heavy reliance on the labor of enslaved Africans, with the majority of the population in some areas consisting primarily of African people.