Chapter 1 - (How had Colonial Society and the Economy Developed In British North America by 1740?)

Question 1

Define Mercantilism [1]

Ref - Page 15 - The Importance of Mercantilism

Answer 1

The belief that the colonies main purpose was to serve the economic interests of the mother country (Britain) [1]

Question 2

What were enumerated goods? [1]

Ref - Page 15 - The Importance of Mercantilism

Answer 2

Goods affected by the Trade and Navigation Acts, so were carried on British ships. [1]

Question 3

Describe how the mercantilist policy was enforced by Britain [2]

Ref - Page 15 - The Importance of Mercantilism

Answer 3

The Trade and Navigations Act in the late 1600’s stated that only British ships could carry colonial goods. [1]

Laws were passed which restricted colonial manufacturing of goods such as iron (Iron Act - 1750) [1]

Question 4

Explain why Britain’s reinforcement of mercantilism in it’s colonies was unsuccessful. [3]

Ref - Page 15 - The Importance of Mercantilism

Answer 4

The laws that were passed were lossely enforced. [1]

Many British deputies were bribed in order to avoid taxations. [1] Many also smuggled British goods out of the colonies without Britain knowing. [1]

Question 5

State why many colonists supported the mercantilist system. [2]

Ref - Page 15 - The Importance of Mercantilism

Answer 5

It provided them with a protected market in Britain [1]

American shipping benefitted from exclusion of foreign trade from ships. [1]

Question 6

Describe how agriculture and fishing in British colonies helped economic development. [3]

Ref - Page 15 - Agriculture and Fishing

Answer 6

90% of the working population were farmers, which boosted the economy. [1]
Value of tobacco exports rose to a peak of £100 million. [1]
Other goods such as fish, wheat and flour were often exported as well. [1]

Question 7

What did elites in a colony own that was high in value? [1]

Ref - Page 16 - Colonial Society

Answer 7

Large areas of land [1]

Question 8

State the 3 main social groups that sat below the elites. [3]

Ref - Page 16 - Colonial Society

Answer 8

1. Professionals [1]
2. Labourers [1]
3. Slaves [1]

Question 9

Describe the role of the professinal class in a colony. [3]

Ref - Page 16 - Colonial Society

Answer 9

These were people who served and helped their local community [1], such as teachers and doctors. [1] They held positions of public responsibility in a colony. [1]

Question 10

Describe the role of the Labourer in a colony. [2]

Ref - Page 17 - Colonial Society

Answer 10

These were people who worked for others on their land. [1] This was limited to about 20% of the population. [1]

Question 11

Describe the role of the slave in a colony [2]

Ref - Page 17 - Colonial Society

Answer 11

African American slaves worked on farms and plantations, [1] or served as domestic servants within an elites house. [1]

Question 12

Describe the religious developments that took place in colonies, which changed the structure of colonial society. [4]

Ref - Page 17 - Religious and Educational Developments

Answer 12

Many religious settlers in Britain fled to America to avoid religious persecution. [1]
Britain was religiously tolerant to an extent. [1]
Many colonies had a general anti-catholic feeling. [1]
“The Great Awakening” was a movement which emphasized a personal relationship with God. [1]

Question 13

Describe the educational developments that took place in colonies, which changed the structure of the colonial society. [3]

Ref - Page 17 - Religious and Educational Developments

Answer 13

There was more encouragement given to education in colonies. [1]
75% of males were literate, compared to on 60% in Britain. [1]
“Enlightenment” was a movement which encouraged a belief in reason and progress. [1]