🏛️Archaeology of Colonial America Unit 8 – Puritan New England: Trade & Industry 1650-1750

Key Concepts and Historical Context

• Puritans established colonies in New England during the 17th century seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities
• Puritan work ethic emphasized hard work, thrift, and self-reliance as a means of glorifying God
• Mercantilism, the dominant economic theory of the time, focused on increasing a nation's wealth through exporting more than importing
  • Colonies were expected to provide raw materials to the mother country (England) and serve as a market for finished goods
• Navigation Acts (1651, 1660, 1663) restricted colonial trade to benefit England and ensure its control over the colonies
• Triangular Trade connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas through the exchange of goods, raw materials, and enslaved people
• Colonial economy was primarily agricultural, with some manufacturing and resource extraction (lumber, fishing)
• Population growth and expansion led to increased demand for goods and services, stimulating economic development

Puritan Ideology and Economic Practices

• Puritans believed in predestination and that success in worldly affairs was a sign of God's favor
• Concept of "calling" encouraged individuals to work diligently in their chosen profession
• Puritans valued education as a means of understanding scripture and promoting social stability
  • Established schools (Harvard College, 1636) and required basic education for children
• Emphasized communal responsibility and mutual support within the colony
  • Promoted fair business practices and discouraged excessive profit-seeking
• Embraced capitalism and private property rights while rejecting lavish displays of wealth
• Engaged in trade with Native Americans, exchanging manufactured goods for furs and other resources
• Participated in the slave trade, although slavery was not as prevalent in New England as in other colonies

Major Trade Routes and Partners

• New England colonies traded primarily with England, the West Indies, and other colonies along the Atlantic coast
• Exported raw materials such as lumber, fish, furs, and agricultural products (grains, livestock)
  • Imported manufactured goods, luxury items, and some foodstuffs (sugar, molasses)
• Triangular Trade connected New England, West Africa, and the West Indies
  • Ships carried rum and manufactured goods to Africa, exchanged for enslaved people
  • Enslaved Africans were transported to the West Indies and sold for sugar, molasses, and other tropical products
  • These products were then brought back to New England to be processed or re-exported
• Coastal trade among colonies involved the exchange of agricultural products, livestock, and manufactured goods
• Trade with Native Americans focused on furs (beaver, otter) in exchange for textiles, tools, and weapons

Primary Industries and Products

• Fishing industry was a major contributor to New England's economy
  • Cod, mackerel, and whales were primary catches; fish were salted and exported
  • Shipbuilding developed to support the fishing industry
• Lumber industry provided materials for construction, shipbuilding, and export
  • Abundant forests yielded oak, pine, and other valuable timber
• Agriculture focused on subsistence crops (corn, wheat, vegetables) and livestock (cattle, pigs, sheep)
  • Surplus agricultural products were traded with other colonies and exported
• Rum production became significant, using molasses imported from the West Indies
  • Rum was consumed locally and traded with Native Americans and in the Atlantic slave trade
• Textile production (wool, linen) grew as a cottage industry, with some larger mills established
• Iron production and metalworking emerged to supply tools, weapons, and hardware
• Artisanal crafts (furniture, pottery, glassware) developed to meet local needs and for export

Technological Advancements and Tools

• Water-powered mills (sawmills, gristmills) increased efficiency in lumber and grain processing
• Improved shipbuilding techniques led to faster, more seaworthy vessels (schooners, sloops)
  • Enabled longer-distance trade and more efficient transportation of goods
• Navigational instruments (sextants, compasses) and charts enhanced maritime navigation and exploration
• Iron production techniques (blast furnaces, forges) allowed for the manufacture of tools, weapons, and hardware
• Printing press facilitated the spread of information, religious texts, and political ideas
• Agricultural innovations (iron plows, improved livestock breeds) increased farm productivity
• Firearms (muskets, pistols) were used for hunting, defense, and trade with Native Americans

Social and Economic Impact on Colonial Life

• Trade and industry created a more diversified and stratified society
  • Merchants, artisans, and skilled workers formed a growing middle class
  • Indentured servants and enslaved people provided labor for agriculture and industry
• Economic growth led to the development of towns and cities (Boston, Salem, Newport)
  • Served as centers of trade, commerce, and political activity
• Increased wealth and consumption of imported goods influenced fashion, architecture, and social customs
• Trade with Native Americans led to cultural exchange and the adoption of certain Native practices and technologies
  • Also contributed to tensions and conflicts over land, resources, and cultural differences
• Reliance on slave labor, particularly in the rum and shipbuilding industries, perpetuated the institution of slavery
• Economic disparities and competition among colonies sometimes led to rivalries and disputes
• Growing economic independence from England laid the foundation for political tensions and eventual revolution

Archaeological Evidence and Findings

• Excavations of colonial settlements, mills, and workshops provide insights into daily life and industrial practices
• Artifacts such as tools, ceramics, glassware, and textiles shed light on production methods and trade networks
  • Maker's marks and decorative styles can indicate origin and date of manufacture
• Faunal remains (fish bones, livestock) reveal dietary practices and the importance of certain industries
• Shipwrecks and submerged sites offer evidence of maritime trade and shipbuilding techniques
  • Cargo and personal items provide information about trade goods and cultural exchange
• Slave quarters and associated artifacts illuminate the experiences of enslaved people and their role in the economy
• Fortifications and military sites demonstrate the importance of defense and the impact of colonial conflicts
• Comparative analysis of artifacts from different regions and time periods helps trace economic and cultural developments over time

Legacy and Influence on American Economics

• Puritan work ethic and emphasis on education helped shape American values and institutions
• New England's maritime trade and industries laid the foundation for the region's continued economic importance
  • Shipbuilding, fishing, and textile production remained significant into the 19th century
• Triangular Trade and the slave economy had lasting impacts on American social and economic structures
  • Profits from slavery financed industrial development and infrastructure projects
• Colonial experience with self-governance and economic management influenced the development of American political and economic systems
  • Concepts of free trade, private property rights, and limited government intervention
• Innovations in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation during the colonial period paved the way for the Industrial Revolution
• Economic ties and disputes with England played a role in the growing push for American independence
  • Navigation Acts and other trade restrictions fueled resentment and desire for self-determination
• Regional economic specialization and interdependence established during the colonial period shaped the development of the United States economy