The trade in Colonial North America was a crucial part of the economy, with imports and exports playing significant roles in the development of the colonies. The system was heavily influenced by the mercantile system, where colonies were expected to provide raw materials to the mother country (primarily Britain) while importing finished goods. Below is an outline of the major imports and exports in colonial North America, along with their approximate volumes or value ranges.
Exports from Colonial North America
The exports from the colonies were largely raw materials, agricultural products, and some manufactured goods. The specific exports varied by region and the resources available there.
1. Tobacco
Region: Primarily the Chesapeake Bay colonies (Virginia and Maryland)
Amount: By the mid-18th century, tobacco was the most significant export from the Chesapeake. It was the largest cash crop, and its export accounted for around 75% of all colonial exports in the 17th century.
Markets: The primary market was England and Europe.
2. Rice
- Region: Primarily South Carolina and Georgia
- Amount: By the 18th century, rice had become one of the most important cash crops in the southern colonies. It was often cultivated on large plantations using enslaved labor.
- Markets: Primarily Europe, particularly England, as well as the Caribbean.
3. Indigo
- Region: South Carolina and Georgia
- Amount: Indigo was one of the most profitable crops in the southern colonies by the late 17th century. The crop was primarily grown for the production of blue dye.
- Markets: England and other European countries, especially for the textile industry.
4. Fur
- Region: Northern colonies, including New York, Pennsylvania, and the areas under French control (like Canada)
- Amount: Furs, particularly beaver pelts, were among the most important exports from the northern colonies during the 17th and early 18th centuries. At its peak, the fur trade was a significant part of the economy.
- Markets: Europe, particularly for use in hats and other goods.
5. Grain and Wheat
- Region: Middle colonies (New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey)
- Amount: Wheat and other grains became major exports, especially in the mid-18th century, with the region becoming known as the "breadbasket" of the colonies.
- Markets: Primarily the West Indies, Europe, and other colonies.
6. Fish and Whale Products
- Region: New England colonies (Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
- Amount: New England became a major exporter of fish (especially cod), with the fishing industry in Massachusetts alone sending hundreds of thousands of barrels of fish to Europe and the Caribbean each year.
- Markets: Europe, the West Indies, and other colonies.
- Whale Products: Whales were hunted for their oil, which was used for lighting lamps and lubrication, and their bones were used in various products.
7. Timber and Naval Stores
- Region: New England and the Middle colonies
- Amount: Timber was one of the most important exports, particularly for shipbuilding. Naval stores like pitch, tar, and resin (used for shipbuilding and maintaining ships) were also significant.
- Markets: Europe, especially England, and the West Indies.
8. Sugar and Molasses
- Region: The Caribbean colonies (though not part of the mainland colonies, the transatlantic trade had a significant impact)
- Amount: While sugar and molasses were produced in the Caribbean, they were vital to the colonial economy as part of the triangular trade, with molasses being a key ingredient in rum production in the northern colonies.
- Markets: England, Europe, and the colonies.
Imports to Colonial North America
Colonial North America imported finished goods, luxuries, and other products that were unavailable or not produced in sufficient quantities within the colonies. The mother country, Britain, played a central role in this trade.
1. Manufactured Goods
- Region: All colonies, but particularly in urban areas such as New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.
- Amount: The majority of imported goods were manufactured goods, including textiles, clothing, household items, and tools. Colonies were prohibited from producing certain manufactured items under the Navigation Acts, which created a dependence on British goods.
- Markets: Primarily from Britain and other European nations.
2. Luxuries and Fine Goods
- Region: All colonies, especially the wealthier regions (like the southern colonies and urban centers)
- Amount: Colonists imported luxury goods such as fine clothing, wine, spices, porcelain, and furniture from Europe, especially from Britain, France, and the Netherlands.
3. Slaves
- Region: Primarily the southern colonies, though also the Caribbean and northern colonies.
- Amount: The transatlantic slave trade was a significant source of labor in the colonies. By the mid-1700s, tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were being transported to the Americas each year. The majority were sent to the southern colonies to work on plantations.
- Markets: The West Indies and southern mainland colonies, particularly for agricultural labor.
4. Sugar, Molasses, and Rum
- Region: New England and the Middle Colonies
- Amount: The colonies imported large amounts of sugar and molasses from the Caribbean, especially to produce rum in New England.
- Markets: Primarily the West Indies, but also the mainland colonies.
5. Tea, Coffee, and Spices
- Region: All colonies, especially the wealthier ones.
- Amount: Tea became an increasingly popular beverage in the colonies, and spices such as pepper and cinnamon were highly valued.
- Markets: Mostly from Britain, but also from the East Indies (e.g., spices and tea from China and India).
6. Alcoholic Beverages
- Region: All colonies, particularly New England.
- Amount: The colonies imported alcohol such as wine, brandy, and beer. However, New England also began producing rum from the imported molasses.
Trade and Mercantile System
- Mercantile Policies: Under Britain's Navigation Acts, the colonies were required to trade primarily with England. Raw materials from the colonies were sent to Britain, where they were turned into manufactured goods and re-exported to the colonies.
- Triangular Trade: The transatlantic trade was often described as a "triangular trade," where goods like slaves, sugar, and molasses were exchanged between Africa, the Caribbean, and the American colonies, with the colonies acting as a middleman in many cases.
Volume and Value Estimates
Export Trade Value: By the 18th century, colonial exports were valued at millions of pounds annually. For example, tobacco exports from Virginia in the mid-1700s were valued at approximately £1.5 million per year.
Import Trade Value: Imports to the colonies were also valued highly, with British goods constituting a significant portion. Trade records indicate that colonial imports from Britain in the 18th century often amounted to around £5 million per year.
In summary, colonial North America's exports were mainly raw materials and agricultural products like tobacco, rice, and furs, while imports were largely manufactured goods, luxury items, and slaves. These trade patterns formed the backbone of the colonial economy, fostering a robust exchange between the colonies, Britain, and other parts of the world.
