compare adn contrast the way in which tobacco and sugar affected the social and economic development of colonial america

compare adn contrast the way in which tobacco and sugar affected the social and economic development of colonial america

Throughout a time of great growth and prosperity amongst the colonies, tobacco and sugar became a major role in the lives of those in colonial America. Although they impacted the colonies in different ways, their outcomes were both similar in nature. They both helped the colonies to grow and became a large source of income to which they relied on greatly. Just as the tobacco and sugar plants began to grow from the ground up, the colonies did so also.

In 1612, John Rolfe became the father of tobacco. He had perfect methods for raising and curing tobacco. John’s tobacco became a cash crop for Europe. Europe soon was impossible to satisfy with their high demand of tobacco. The colonists now wanted more land, along with their other demand for food. They wanted this land so they could plant more tobacco. The colonists being so needy for more land started to press up against the river valleys, which was up against the Indians. Soon, Virgina started expanding because of their growth of tobacco. Tobacco soon was spread around the Chesapeake area as well. Tobacco also put Virginia on sturdy economic foundations. The only downfall was that tobacco immensely ruined the soil from being overly planted. From this Virginia’s economy started relying on this single crop: tobacco. The tobacco had begun to bring over jobs. Maryland also prospered with tobacco. Maryland was known as the second plantation for tobacco. Tobacco required little to no work because the plantations were so small. Tobacco brought natural resources from trading with Europe. It also created more money to pay for taxes and fines. Overall, tobacco had a beneficial impact on the colonies by not only bringing them money, but also by expanding them.

Like tobacco, sugar also made money and expanded the colonies. It formed the basis of the West Indies economy. Unlike tobacco, sugar was a rich man’s crop. As previously mentioned, tobacco was easily grown, developing the title “poor man’s crop”. Sugar,...

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