Final answer:
Timber from Massachusetts played a crucial role in colonial and post-colonial economy, providing raw material for firewood, manufactured wood products, and supporting industries like ship-building and the textile industry. New England utilized its abundant timber resources as the region transformed into America's industrial heartland following the War of 1812.
Step-by-step explanation:
The timber from Massachusetts and the New England region substantively contributed to various industries. This natural resource provided the raw material for firewood, and manufactured wood products such as pitch, tar, shingles, and planks. These goods were essential for both local use and as export products, ultimately supplementing the colonists' income during the colonial period. The importance of timber extended beyond mere survival and heating. It played a crucial role in the burgeoning ship-building industry, with New England colonies leveraging the abundance of timber to construct ships, a practice that was intricately linked to the growth of the region's economy.
In addition to ship-building, the timber resources of New England facilitated the expansion of the textile industry, as evidenced by the development of mills, such as the textile mill in Lowell, MA. New England became an industrial heartland, exploiting its natural resources, including timber, to manufacture goods that were previously imported, such as cotton fabric. The historical significance of timber is far-reaching; not only was it integral to colonial subsistence and trade, it was vital in the industrial expansion, especially post the War of 1812, when New England emerged as a manufacturing center of the country.