Jon Mathis AP Modern American History Mr. Watson Period 3 September 18, 2013 American Life in the Seventeenth Century A. The Unhealthy Chesapeake American wilderness was unforgiving. Malaria, dysentery, and typhoid killed lots of people. Average life expectancy was below 50. Women were so scarce that men fought over all of them One third of all brides in one Maryland county were already pregnant before the wedding Virginia had the highest population B. The Tobacco Economy The Chesapeake was very good for tobacco production Chesapeake Bay exported 1.5 million pounds of tobacco yearly in the 1630s, and by 1700, it increased to 40 million pounds a year a. More availability led to falling prices b. A system encouraged growth of the Chesapeake