Events:

1: Should this council boycott the British sale of African Slaves to the colonies?
2: Should this council send a list of grievances to Britain explaining our protests for their actions
against the colonies.
3: Will this council encourage a colonial-wide boycott of all British goods and services
4: Should this council enter into negotiations with Parliament to resolve this growing conflict.
5: If war breaks out between the colonies and Britain, Britain promises freedom to any slave who
serves in the British Army. Should we do the same?
6: Should this council form a colonial army to respond to any threats from the British Army
 South Carolina
Interests
● Support the boycott of British goods
● Encourage the destruction of British goods
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Protect the Southern Slave Economy
● Address the issue of Loyalists

South Carolina was largely a farming colony. Many wealthy British families immigrated to the
Southern colonies because of the excellent farmland. They established large farming plantations
heavily reliant on slave labor and slave importation. Contrastly, a large population of small
farmers works the land. A large number of South Carolinians support the British and would
remain loyal if war broke out. South Carolina openly supports the boycott and destruction of
British goods, with South Carolina having their own Boston Tea Party event. Trade between the
colonies, however, is perfectly acceptable.
 North Carolina
Interests
● Support the boycott of British goods
● Encourage the build-up of a strong militia or army
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Protect the Southern Slave Economy
● Address the issue of Loyalists

North Carolina is primarily a farming colony. A large portion of people who moved to North
Carolina were either indentured servants or African slaves. The backbone of the North
Carolinian economy was on plantations and farms. North Carolina is very supportive of
boycotting British goods but is also heavily reliant on the African Slave Trade. North Carolina
has a large population of individuals who would remain loyal to Britain if war were to erupt.
North Carolina has divided itself into military districts to assist in its defense. North Carolina is
very supportive of a colonial army and/or a strong militia.
 Massachusetts
​Interests
● Support the boycott and/or destruction of British goods
● Resist the British authorities and military
● Support a colonial army and well-regulated militia
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Resist all negotiation with Parliament and the King

Massachusetts is seen as the center of British resistance in the colonies. Events such as the
Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and groups such as the Sons of Liberty have encouraged
resistance against the British. Parliament has deployed troops to squash the dissenters, destroyed
the Massachusetts charter and appointed a Governor to bring the colony in line. The time for
negotiation is over. Massachusetts and the other colonies must resist further British aggression
and join together in this common cause.
 Maryland
Interests
● Encourage negotiation between Britain and the colonies
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Encourage a well-regulated militia
● Support the boycott of all British goods
● Protect the Slave Economy

Maryland serves as the dividing colony between the Southern and Middle Colonies. Maryland
heavily benefited from slave labor and indentured servants to work the fertile land around the
Chesapeake Bay. Maryland is torn between supporting its fellow colony of Massachusetts and
finding a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict. A fight with Britain should be avoided at
all costs, but Maryland should be prepared in case the situation worsens.
 New Hampshire
Interests
● Encourage a well-regulated militia and colonial army
● Encourage negotiation between Britain and the colonies
● Support the Southern Slave Economy
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Encourage the boycott of all British goods

New Hampshire is the northern-most colony. Though New Hampshire and Massachusetts have
had their disagreements in the past, New Hampshire stands with its colonial neighbor against
British tyranny. New Hampshire firmly advocates for a strong militia and army given its
geography on the frontier. The New Hampshire economy is heavily reliant on the Southern slave
economy and the slave trade. The slave trade has proved profitable for New Hampshire shipping
and raw materials flow from the southern colonies.
 New Jersey
Interests
● Address the Loyalist issue
● Remain neutral on Slavery
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Encourage negotiation between Britain and the colonies

New Jersey’s economy is diversified, with money being generated from trading, fishing,
farming, slavery, and the slave trade. As one of the middle colonies, New Jersey has benefited
from the slave trade, but not to the same extent as the southern colonies. New Jersey’s long
coastline and geography have made it a focal point for trade between the colonies and with
Britain. New Jersey stands with Massachusetts against British tyranny, but would also like to see
the situation resolved given the large population of perceived Loyalists.
 New York
Interests
● Encourage negotiation between Britain and the colonies
● Encourage trade between Britain and the colonies
● Discourage boycotts and the destruction of British goods
● Encourage a well-regulated militia
● Discourage all calls for Independence

New York City serves as one of the trade hubs between the colonies and Britain. New York runs
on trade, both between the colonies and Britain. Though New York disapproves of Britain’s
actions against the colonies, a civil war will benefit no one. If war breaks out, New York City
will be a center point in the ensuing war. New York must prepare itself in case war breaks out,
but must do everything in its power to avoid conflict.
 Pennsylvania
Interests
● Discourage all calls for Independence
● Encourage a strong militia and colonial army
● Encourage negotiations between the colonies and Britain
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Encourage the boycott of British goods

Pennsylvania stands with Massachusetts against the repressive measures taken by the British.
Pennsylvania is central in the land trade network between the colonies. Pennsylvania soil is well
suited to agriculture, but the large slave plantations of the South never sprouted in the colony.
Pennsylvania’s Quaker influence of peaceful resolution conflicts with the need to prepare in case
of conflict. If a war were to break out, Pennsylvania will be a major battleground in the conflict.
 Virginia
Interests
● Support the boycott of British goods
● Encourage a well-regulated militia and colonial army
● Protect the Southern Slave Economy
● Encourage trade between the colonies
● Address the issue of Loyalists

Virginia’s economy is primarily based on the plantation system, heavily supported by slavery
and the slave trade. Virginia’s long coastline also makes it a hub for trade between the colonies
and with Britain. Virginia stands with Massachusetts against British tyranny, encouraging the
colonies to fund a strong militia and military. However, a large percentage of Virginians would
remain loyal to Britain and could cause problems if war breaks out.
 Exit Ticket
Were you able to defend the interests of your colony? Explain

Were you able to convince other students to back your side on any specific issues? Which issue?

From the list below, check all boxes that reflect your understanding

❏ I have little/no understanding of the issues that caused the colonies to argue amongst each
other.
❏ I understand 1-2 of the issues that caused the colonies to argue amongst each other.
❏ I understand 3-4 of the issues that caused the colonies to argue amongst each other.
❏ I have little/no understanding of why my colony supported the interests it had.
❏ I understand why my colony had the interests it did but was unable to convince other
colonies to support my viewpoint.
❏ I understand why my colony had the interests and was able to convince other colonies to
support my viewpoint.
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