Question 1

During the colonial period the cost of building a ship in New England was typically _________ the cost of building the same ship in England.

Accepted Answer

During the colonial period, building a ship in New England was typically less expensive than building the same ship in England. This was due to the availability of cheaper raw materials such as wood, as well as the lower cost of labor.

Question 2

The fishing and whaling occupations in the early colonies

Accepted Answer

Fishing and whaling were major influences in the early colonial economy, providing a valuable source of food and raw materials for trade. Particularly in New England, these industries played a significant role in shaping the colonial economy and way of life. While they may not have been the dominant economic force, they were certainly important and influential.

Question 3

The colonial production of ________ had a high fixed cost because it required an initial heavy investment in capital.

Accepted Answer

Rice production in colonial times required significant initial investments in infrastructure such as irrigation systems and water control mechanisms, making it a crop with high fixed costs.

Question 4

What was the most fundamental relationship among most Native American tribes,including the Iroquois?

Accepted Answer

The most fundamental relationship among most Native American tribes, including the Iroquois, was matrilineal, emphasizing the mother-daughter lineage. This structure played a crucial role in social organization, inheritance, and leadership.

Question 5

The soil of the Middle Colonies is generally

Accepted Answer

The soil of the Middle Colonies was generally fertile and easy to till, which made it suitable for agriculture. This contributed to the region's economy and growth. The other options (rocky and poor, difficult to till, alkaline and poorly drained) do not accurately describe the soil of the Middle Colonies.

Question 6

Which was the least prominent crop grown in the colonial US?

Accepted Answer

Sugar was less prominent in the colonial US compared to tobacco, wheat, and rice, which were major crops in various regions. Sugar plantations were more common in the Caribbean and South America due to climate and economic factors.

Question 7

The original reasons for founding the colony of Georgia do not include

Accepted Answer

The original reasons for founding the colony of Georgia were to alleviate London of some of its poorer people, be a partial remedy to the injustice of debtor prisons, and provide a buffer between the English and Spanish colonies. However, it was not a scheme to take advantage of desperate families.

Question 8

What was not true about the New England colonial economy?

Accepted Answer

The New England colonial economy was not the most productive area in terms of agriculture due to poor soil quality and harsh weather conditions. Instead, it relied heavily on other industries such as fishing, shipping, and trade.

Question 9

All of the following were important colonial industries except:

Accepted Answer

Although there was some manufacturing of finished iron goods in the colonies, it was not a particularly important industry. Fishing and fish packing, production of ships' stores, and shipbuilding were all crucial colonial industries that helped support the growing economy and trade networks.

Question 10

In colonial Georgia,

Accepted Answer

Slavery was initially prohibited in colonial Georgia by the trustees who founded the colony in 1732. It wasn't until the trustees surrendered control to the British crown in 1752 that slavery was introduced and allowed to exist in Georgia.

Question 11

The only mineral that was available in any significant quantity in colonial America was:

Accepted Answer

Iron was the most significant mineral available in colonial America, used extensively for tools, weapons, and construction materials. Gold and silver were scarce, and coal mining did not become prominent until later.

Question 12

During the colonial period,this region specialized in grain production,primarily using family farms:

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the colonial period,this region specialized in...

Question 13

The primary reason for the success of the colonial shipbuilding industry was

Accepted Answer

The colonial shipbuilding industry thrived primarily due to the close proximity of essential raw materials, particularly lumber, which was abundant in the American colonies. This accessibility significantly reduced costs and facilitated the construction of ships.

Question 14

Agricultural staples of the colonial South included

Accepted Answer

Rice, tobacco, and indigo were all significant agricultural products in the colonial South, contributing to the region's economy and trade.

Question 15

What was not true about the economy of the Middle Colonies?

Accepted Answer

The economy of the Middle Colonies was not a net importer of food. In fact, it was known for producing surplus grains, which were exported to other colonies and to Europe.

Question 16

The wealthiest occupational groups in North America included

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed were among the wealthiest occupational groups in North America during the colonial and early national periods. Merchants in both New England and the Middle colonies amassed wealth through trade, while large land-holding planters in the South generated their wealth primarily through agriculture, especially the cultivation of cash crops like tobacco and cotton, using slave labor.

Question 17

Which was a common sociopolitical/economic feature of Colonial America?

Accepted Answer

None of the options accurately describe common features of Colonial America. Agriculture was a primary economic activity and expanded significantly, metal parts production was limited due to British restrictions on manufacturing in the colonies, legislation often restricted import of machinery to protect British manufacturers, and infrastructure development, especially roads, was slow and challenging due to various factors.

Question 18

Which of the following was not an export of the Southern colonies?

Accepted Answer

Bulk unfinished iron was not a significant export of the Southern colonies. The other options were all important exports - deerskins were used for clothing and trade, indigo was used for dyeing cloth, and rice was a major cash crop.

Question 19

Which colony was the last of the original 13 to be founded,and was designed to assist those who owed debts in the Old World?

Accepted Answer

Georgia was the last of the original 13 colonies to be founded, established in 1732 by James Oglethorpe. It was designed as a place for debtors from England and a buffer against Spanish Florida.

Question 20

Residents of the developing American colonies lived _______ lives compared to people living in the advanced countries of that time because ________.

Accepted Answer

Residents of the developing American colonies lived better lives compared to people living in the advanced countries of that time because of high levels of output per worker. This high productivity meant that, on average, individuals could enjoy a higher standard of living than those in many parts of Europe.

Quiz 3: Colonial Economic Activities