Before 1763, economic issues rather than religious positions determined the development of American colonies. Explore the validity of this statement by discussing three of the following colonies. (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Carolina, Massachusetts Bay)
             Before 1763, the American colonies were greatly shaped by economic issues rather than religious issues. This statement will be investigated in three of the five available choices listed above.
             Virginia is known as the 'child of tobacco'. In 1612, John Rolfe had perfected tobacco into a pleasant 'smoke'. Soon after, the European demand for tobacco greatly increased and colonists of Virginia rushed for land in which to make their fortunes. Tobacco became such a big deal that Virginia at one point had to import food because of too much time spent growing tobacco. Eventually, tobacco was Virginia's main trade, giving a strong economic advantage.
             The Carolinas were named after Charles II, and the land was given from him to eight of his favorite Proprietors. The Proprietors planned on growing foodstuffs to help supply the sugar plantations in Barbados. Wine, silk, and olive oil was also exported from the Carolinas. The Carolinas flourished because of close economic ties with the sugar plantations in the English West Indies. Rice was a main crop of the Carolinas as well, and was greedily accepted as a delicacy in Europe, furthering Carolinas economic strength.
             Maryland was founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore. Baltimore and his family were devout Catholics, and he partly made Maryland a haven for his fellow Catholics. The other part was to make a profit. Huge land grants were offered to Baltimore's Catholic relatives, and offers were soon taken at the mentioning of free land. Tobacco was largely planted and depended on the cheap indentured servants in order to farm it. For that reason, Maryland increased in population and wealth a good amount.
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