Ch.

3: The British in
North America

 Based on the above picture create a

definition in your OWN words of what
Mercantilism is.
What do you think the artist point of view
is?
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/655786721287340032

What is Mercantilism
Mercantilism-

An economic system that allowed

an imperial country to become rich by selling the
resources taken from its colonies.

Imperialism-

A country extending its control over

other countries, often using economic or military
means.

Empire-

A network of colonies controlled by one

country
3

Major Empires: Spain, Britain, and France

Examples of Natural Resources:

Tobacco - Grain
Corn
-Iron ore
Lumber
Furs

13 COLONIES sold natural

resources to their Mother Country
(Britain) for a small profit (didnt get a
lot of money for their resources)

MERCANTILISM
Examples of Finished Goods:

Cloth
Guns
Pots and Pans
Furniture

MOTHER COUNTRY (BRITAIN) sold

finished goods back to their colonies (ex.
The Thirteen Colonies) at a much higher
price
(Because of Mercantilism the Mother
country was getting rich in gold and silver)

Importance of Expansion

4 Key concepts that drove Britain to build colonies.

1)The Economy: France and Spain both had achieved economic

success with colonizing.

2)Competition: The Spanish and French Empires are expanding,

Britain does not want to fall behind in superiority.

3)Quality of Life: Britain had become overpopulated in urban areas,

and rural areas lacked adequate farm land.

4)Religious Freedom: Particular religious groups (Puritans, Quakers,

and Baptists) were treated poorly in Britain. These people seeked a
place that allowed for them to practice religion freely.

Walter Raleigh

First English explorer to try and build a colony in North

America

First attempt 1585, second attempt 1587

Both attempts had failed and resulted in the British

reevaluating colonizing.

Why did he fail?

King James I granted private groups to colonize the

Atlantic coast.

13 Colonies

13 separate colonies were established along the Atlantic

coast.

Each colony was unique, each had its own social structure,
religious groups and type of government.

The economies depended on the production of raw goods

and the shipments of British luxuries.

Colonization of the 13 Colonies began around the same

time frame as New France.

13 Colonies and New France Compared

Britain and its 13 Colonies expanded much faster than New France.
Year

New France

The 13 Colonies

1660

3 000

90 000

1720

24 474

446 185

1760

64 000

1 593 625

5 Key difference to why the British colonies flourished:

1) Different goals- France did not want to invest heavily, its priorities were
collecting furs and resources cheaply. Meanwhile Britain invested heavily into
its colonies to gain a military and economic advantage over other empires.

2) The climate- New France was burdened with long severe winters, this
made it difficult to farm, but provided the thickest of furs. In the 13 Colonies
the climate was mild especially in the more Southern areas where farming
year round is possible.

13 Colonies and New France compared

5 Key differences contd

3) Employment- New France was focused on the fur trade First Nations
trappers, coureurs de bois and fur traders ran most of the trade. In the 13
Colonies the economies allowed for more opportunity, ex. Farming, fishing
and logging.

4) Religion- France encouraged only French Catholics to colonize New France.

Meanwhile the 13 Colonies did not limit faith and allowed for people of
different religions to settle.

5) Trade- In New France trade was only allowed with France, all trade
revolved around the fur trade and one company had a monopoly on that
trade. The 13 Colonies were initially allowed to trade freely with other
countries and free to start personal businesses.

Personal Opinion

Of the 5 factors which 3 factors do you believe are the most

significant?

Which factors allowed for the 13 Colonies to grow faster than New
France?

List the 3 factors in the order you find to be most significant.

Be prepared to defend your opinion, you will be convincing a partner.

5 Factors
1) Different Goals
2) The Climate
3) Employment
4) Religion
5) Trade