6.3 Material culture and trade in the Mid-Atlantic colonies

The Mid-Atlantic colonies saw a bustling trade network between Europeans and Native Americans. Fur trade, especially beaver pelts, drove economic interactions. Europeans offered manufactured goods like metal tools and firearms, while Native Americans traded furs, wampum, and crafts.

Dutch and Swedish settlers brought unique influences to colonial material culture. Dutch Delftware and architectural styles like steep roofs became popular. Swedish log cabins introduced new building techniques that would shape frontier architecture for generations to come.

Trade Goods

Fur Trade and Indigenous Goods

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  Aboriginal tools for fur trade | Royal Ontario Museum, Toron… | Flickr View original

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  Native American Wampum | Mercer Museum Doylestown PA May 27,… | Flickr View original

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Top images from around the web for Fur Trade and Indigenous Goods

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  Native American Wampum | Mercer Museum Doylestown PA May 27,… | Flickr View original

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  Aboriginal tools for fur trade | Royal Ontario Museum, Toron… | Flickr View original

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• 

  File:Fur trade museum beaver pelt.jpg - Wikipedia View original

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  Native American Wampum | Mercer Museum Doylestown PA May 27,… | Flickr View original

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  Aboriginal tools for fur trade | Royal Ontario Museum, Toron… | Flickr View original

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• Fur trade formed the backbone of economic interactions between European settlers and Native Americans
• Beaver pelts emerged as the most valuable commodity, prized for making fashionable hats in Europe
• Native Americans exchanged furs for European manufactured goods, altering traditional hunting practices
• Wampum, cylindrical beads made from shells, served as a form of currency and held cultural significance
• Native American crafts, including intricate beadwork and woven baskets, became sought-after trade items

European Trade Items

• Trade beads, often made of glass or ceramic, were introduced by Europeans as a form of currency
• Colorful trade beads quickly gained popularity among Native Americans for decorative purposes
• European manufactured goods revolutionized Native American life, including:
  • Metal tools (axes, knives, needles)
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Cloth and clothing items
  • Kettles and cooking utensils
• These goods gradually replaced traditional Native American tools and materials

Domestic Material Culture

Dutch Influences on Colonial Life

• Dutch ceramics, particularly Delftware, gained popularity in the colonies
• Delftware featured distinctive blue and white designs, often depicting scenes from daily life
• Dutch-style houses incorporated features such as:
  • Steep roofs with flared eaves
  • Dutch doors, split horizontally for ventilation
  • H-bent frame construction technique
• Tobacco pipes, often made of clay, became ubiquitous in colonial society
  • Long, thin stems with small bowls characterized early Dutch pipes
  • Pipe making developed into a significant industry in the colonies

Swedish Contributions to Architecture

• Swedish log cabins introduced a new architectural style to the Mid-Atlantic region
• Key features of Swedish log cabins included:
  • Horizontal log construction with interlocking corner notches
  • Chinking between logs for insulation
  • Central fireplace and chimney
• Swedish building techniques influenced later American frontier architecture
• Swedish settlers also brought traditional furniture styles, such as:
  • High-backed chairs
  • Painted wooden chests
  • Trestle tables