Growth of the English Colonies

Summary

This video explores the remarkable growth of English colonies in North America during the 1700s, highlighting a 900% population increase to 2.5 million by the mid-century. It discusses the 'salutary neglect' period, where England's minimal interference allowed colonies to flourish, fostering a sense of independence and self-government. The video also covers the economic boom driven by agriculture and trade, the development of industries in New England, and the establishment of the triangular trade system, which contributed to the colonies' rapid expansion and set the stage for future conflicts.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The English colonies in North America flourished due to abundant resources and agricultural production.
• 🌐 The southern colonies became a hub for religious freedom and economic opportunities, leading to a significant population increase.
• 📈 The population of the colonies grew from an estimated 250,000 in 1700 to about 2.5 million by the mid-1770s, a 900% increase.
• 🏡 A majority of white males in the colonies owned land, fostering a sense of independence and self-government.
• 🏛️ The term 'salutary neglect' refers to the period when England paid little attention to the colonies, allowing them autonomy.
• 🌾 The colonies were primarily agricultural, with the New England region focused on subsistence farming and the southern colonies on commercial farming.
• 🚢 New England developed industries like shipbuilding and whaling due to poor soil conditions for large-scale farming.
• 🔄 The triangular trade system involved the colonies in a trade network that included raw materials, finished goods, and enslaved people.
• 🌟 Colonists were generally taller and healthier than those in England, with better access to food and higher literacy rates.
• 🚀 The growth and economic development of the colonies laid the groundwork for the eventual American Revolution and the Civil War.

Q & A

What factors contributed to the growth of the English colonies in North America?

The growth of the English colonies in North America was due to an abundance of resources, enormous agricultural production, and the availability of land for property ownership.

How did the population of the English colonies change from 1700 to the mid-1770s?

The population of the colonies increased from an estimated 250,000 in 1700 to approximately 2.5 million by the mid-1770s, marking a 900 percent increase in barely 50 years.

What percentage of white males owned land in the colonies by the time of the American Revolution?

It is estimated that 67 percent of white males owned land in the colonies by the time of the American Revolution.

What was the term historians use to describe the period from 1621 to 1750 in the American colonies?

Historians refer to the period from 1621 to 1750 as the 'salutary neglect,' a time when England paid little attention to the American colonies and allowed them to operate with minimal interference.

How did the British attitude towards the colonies during the 'salutary neglect' period set the stage for the American Revolution?

The 'salutary neglect' period set the stage for the American Revolution as the British eventually decided to pay more attention and interfere in the colonies' affairs, which upset the colonists.

Why were colonists on average taller and more likely to live to adulthood compared to people in England?

Colonists were on average taller and more likely to live to adulthood due to better access to food and resources, and the availability of quality food in the colonies.

What was the literacy rate among males in the colonies by the 1750s?

The literacy rate among males in the colonies by the 1750s was about 85 percent.

How did the agricultural practices differ between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies?

New England colonies were primarily dominated by subsistence farming, the Middle colonies had a mix of subsistence and commercial farming, while the Southern colonies had large plantations focused on commercial farming.

What industries began to develop in New England due to poor soil and the inability to do large-scale farming?

New England developed industries such as shipbuilding, fishing, and especially whaling, as they could not grow crops year-round and had poor, rocky soil.

What was the triangular trade system and how was it related to the growth of the colonies?

The triangular trade system involved sending raw materials from America to Europe for processing, then trading the finished products in Western Africa for enslaved Africans, who were forced to work on American plantations. This system contributed to the rapid growth of the colonies.

How did the colonists' push to move westward affect the development of the colonies?

The colonists' push to move westward led to the establishment of small farms and communities in the Piedmont region, which expanded the colonies' boundaries and contributed to their growth.