They were not "poor." As a matter of fact, not speculation from re-written histories from Progressive revisionists, Burke's Speech, which can be read online today, documents that the Americans were feeding the citizens of Great Britain, as well as others of the world.
Read that great Speech and understand the wonders of what can take place when a free people do what they do best by going about their own pursuits, unhampered by a controlling set of elites in positions of power in government.
They were not poor. Even in the Year 1775, prior to their Declaration, they were literally feeding other parts of the world.
Thank you for that. I will definitely look for that speech.