Chap. 5 Imperial Breakdown 1763-1774

1770. Economic Depression in VirginiaThe effect of 150 years ofplanting tobacco is a lossof fertile soil.• The year following the dismissal of theHOB is marked by widespread agriculturaldecline and economic depression fromdepleted soil and drought.• The population of Virginia was relativelyvery large while the soil of the Tidewaterand Piedmont plantations were worked-outand both food and tobacco crop failuresuniversal.• All Virginia counties suffered moderate toextreme topsoil erosion.• All old landed Virginia families sufferedgreat economic distress which becameacute during the war (Bound, 202).16Ch 5 Impl Breakdown 1763-74(24)