Consumption in the Colonies

Between 1720 and 1770, per capita consumption of imported goods in the mainland American colonies rose by about 50 percent. By 1764, the value of imported goods was about £1 ¼ for each colonist. Consumption of imported amenities and luxury goods rose because the colonials were increasingly able to obtain more goods that they wanted (for example, sugar, rum, wine, salt) from places other than Great Britain. Americans, especially in New England and the Middle Colonies, were also manufacturing more goods for themselves. Much of the Chesapeake, however, remained highly dependent on British imports throughout the colonial period.