Simulation: Life in the Colonies

SLAVE I N VIRGINIA Imagine you are a slave in The Virginia colony. You were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to America as part of the triangular trade; you had no choice in the matter. You were separated from your family and friends. You work long hour days harvesting tobacco crops and see no rewards for your hard labor. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them?

GERMAN INDENTURED SERVANT Imagine you are having a hard time feeding your family in Germany and you hear about opportunities available in the New World, but you cannot afford to make the voyage. You see an advertisement for a free trip to the colonies if you agreed to give up your freedom for eight years. You arrive in the colonies and discover things are not what they are portrayed as at home. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them?

NATIVE AMERICAN Imagine you are a Native American living along the Atlantic coast. Your family has lived here all their lives and you believe this land is your peoples’. You have your dwelling, your crops, and your traditions all in place. One day a group of foreigners, speaking a strange language showed up and killed thirty members of your tribe. They think that you are not using the land properly and that they deserve it more than you. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them?

NATIVE CANADIAN Imagine you are a Native American living in present day Canada. Your family has lived here all their lives and you believe this land is your peoples’. You have your dwelling, your crops, and your traditions all in place. One day a group of French foreigners arrives on your land and offers you peace offerings. You quickly find that they are willing to exchange resources and that they want to coexist with you. How do you feel about colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them?

Imagine you are a puritan living in England but disagree with King James I and more importantly you cannot accept the current state of the Church of England. Your religion is the most important thing to you and you need to live somewhere where you can worship how you choose. You immigrate to the New World and begin to establish your life. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them? PURITAN

Imagine you are a family member of William Penn Imagine you are a family member of William Penn. You are given land from Charles II and migrate to The Americas. Once you get to The Americas you are able to use the land and resources to make a profit and begin to prosper. You are a Quaker and now you can live out your religion how you feel is right. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them? QUAKER

PLANTATION OWNER Imagine you are a large plantation owner in the south. Your main crop is tobacco. In order to harvest your crops you have many slaves that take care and work your fields. This free labor really allows you to provide for your family, accumulate wealth and live a prosperous life. Prior to coming to the New World, this kind of opportunity would have never even been imagined. How do you feel about the colonization of America? What are some challenges you face and how would you handle them?

Colonial Simulation Follow-Up Questions (IN Page 59 TOP)- USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!!! Based on the various people’s viewpoints in the colonies, which would likely have had the best life in America?  Explain your answer.    Based on the various people's viewpoints in the colonies, which would likely have had the worst life in America?  Explain your answer.  After considering all of the viewpoints, which person would you rather be in Colonial America?  Why?