Mercantilism & Slavery

Mr. Owens

Essential Questions:

• What impact did British attempts to pursue mercantilism and strengthen its direct control over the American colonies have?

• What were the causes and characteristics of the development and expansion of the African slave trade in the British colonies?

Mercantilism• Mercantilism: Dominant European economic system

in 17th Century – self-sufficient kingdoms• Empires compete through favorable balance of trade

= export manufactured goods, import wealth (gold/silver)

• Colonies exist to benefit the mother country• Highly government regulated economy• “Navigation Acts” (1650-1673)

1. Trade only on English or colonial-built ships2. All goods imported to colonies must first travel to English

ports3. Specified goods (tobacco) from colonies could only be

exported to England (eventually includes most goods)

• Effects: NE shipbuilding prospered, military protection, but limited colonial manufacturing, higher prices for English imported goods

• Some goods prohibited to export from colonies: Woolen Act (1699, Molasses Act of 1733 banned import from French W. Indies

• Colonists resented acts over time - led to smuggling of Dutch & Spanish goods, & corruption- MA Bay had charter revoked in 1684 due to rampant

smuggling

Dominion of New England• James II gained throne in 1685• Opposed colonial assemblies – wanted

more direct royal control• 1686 formed Dominion of New England

(1686-1689) from N.E. colonies NY & NJ under rule of autocratic governor Sir Edmund Andros – became unpopular due to taxes, limiting assemblies, and revoking land titles

• 1688 Glorious Revolution – William & Mary ousted James, constitutional monarchy

• 1689 end of Dominion, individual charters returned

• Navigation Acts remained but weakly enforced = “Salutary Neglect”

James II Andros

William & Mary

Rise of Slavery• Increased demand for slaves

1. Less migration from England—wages increasing there

2. Dependable work force—large landowners disturbed by political demands of small farmers & indentured servants.

3. Cheap labor—tobacco prices fall, need large numbers of unskilled workers for rice & indigo

• Slave Laws (Slave Codes): – 1641 MA 1st colony to recognize “chattel

slavery” (ownership of human being as property) of “lawful” captives or for life

– 1661 – VA children of slaves become slaves too. Raping a slave wasn’t illegal, but marrying her was.

– 1664 – MD baptism did not free slaves, women forbidden from marrying African-American men

• Effect on population:– By 1750: 50% of Virginia, 66% of South

Carolina populations are slaves• Racism & white supremacy becomes widespread

The Atlantic Slave TradeS

Resistance to Slavery• Slaves resisted in various ways: most commonly by

attempting to ran away, some by sabotaging tools or refusing to work hard, some formed maroon communities.

• Stono Rebellion: 1739 in South Carolina – Spanish Florida promised freedom to fugitive slaves, 20 slaves revolted from one plantation, Joined by 80 slaves – SC militia battle – 44 slaves and 25 whites killed - Largest slave revolt during the colonial era

Triangular Trade• Triangular Trade: New England

merchants gain access to slave trade in the early 1700s1. Rum (& guns) brought to Africa,

exchanges for slaves2. Ships cross the Middle Passage,

slaves trades in the West Indies.• Disease, torture,

malnourishment, death for slaves

3. Sugar brought to New England• Other items traded across the

Atlantic, with substantial profits from slavery making merchants rich

• By 1713 Jamaica producing more sugar than Barbados & became wealthiest & most important colony in English empire