Why did New England depend on shipbuilding and long-distance trade of rum, fish, furs, and lumber?

The settlers were from northern Europe and used to fishing and hunting for furs.

The British Parliament decided the industry that each colony developed.

More shipbuilders settled in the north than in the Middle or Southern colonies.

The ground was too rocky, and the climate was too harsh to grow cash crops.

The ground was too rocky, and the climate was too harsh to grow cash crops.

Explanation:

The main reason why New England developed industries such as ship-building and long-distance trade was because the land was not particularly fertile. This made agriculture possible, but not very profitable. Therefore, most farms in New England were small and owned by families, as opposed to the large plantations that were found in the South. This also meant that New England had less demand for slaves than the South.

The ground was too rocky and the climate was too harsh to grow cash crops