Colonial American Life Colonial Regions

New England: Life on the Farm Most people in New England were farmers Worked on small plots of land growing crops to feed their families Nine out of ten people lived on small family farms Clearing the land was the largest hurdle. They had only simple, basic tools.

New England: Life on the Farm Families were large, often with 6 or 8 children Lived in small wooden houses with few rooms or windows Most light came from candles and lamps Many homes had just one main room, with a fireplace A cooking fire was kept burning at all times A table stood in the middle for meals Families slept on mattresses near the fire

New England Kitchen

New England: Work in the Home Home was also a workshop Almost everything a family needed had to be grown or made at home Men and boys spend most of their time working in the fields Chores: cutting wood, feeding animals, clearing land, building fences, tending crops, making tools, spinning thread, gathering eggs, weaving cloth, sewing clothes, cooking, caring for babies. Colonial women & girls spent time preparing and preserving food Made household items such as clothing, soap, and candles

New England: Fishing & Whaling Many people made their living by catching and selling fish Most common fish was cod Merchants sold the cod as exports to Europe and the West Indies Also hunted whales Used whales to make products such as oil for lamps

New England: Life in the Cities One out of 20 lived in cities The waterfront was the heart of a city. New items were brought in from England. The marketplace, located close to the docks, was where all goods were sold and taverns could be found. Streets were lined with shops and craftspeople. City life was noisy and smelly. Houses built close together with small windows. Fire was a main concern. Everyone kept fire buckets and fought fires together. Boston became a center for New England’s shipbuilding industry Industry: businesses that make one kind of product or provide one kind of service

Boston

New England: Rights of Colonists They saw themselves as English Citizens. They expected the same rights as people living in England. The most important right was to have a voice in government. Magna Carta – an agreement made in 1215 listing rights granted by King John to all free men of the kingdom. This document limited the power of the king. Parliament – the lawmaking body of England, consisting of representatives from throughout the kingdom. The English Bill of Rights – an act passed by Parliament in 1689 that limited the monarch’s power b giving certain powers to Parliament and listing specific rights of the citizens. This document gave the power of making laws and imposing taxes to the parliament. They also could petition the king and have a trial by jury.

New England: Rights of Colonists Crime and Punishment Crimes with the punishment of death Murder, treason, piracy Puritans in New England added crimes against God’s Law, such as striking or cursing parents or denying the true God. Crimes with the punishment of jail, whipping, or branding Theft, forgery, and highway robbery Lesser crimes punished by fines, short jail times, public humiliation (perhaps stockades) Drunkenness, working or traveling on a Sunday, Puritan Laws They wrote their laws in a book with blue binding. The laws became known as the “Blue Laws.” Some still exist today. Puritans were constantly on the watch for signs of Satan. The Salem Witch Trials - with 19 people executed before calm was restored.

New England: Education & Recreation Puritans wanted everyone to be able to read the Bible Many New England towns had schools 1647: Massachusetts passed a law that said any town with 50 or more families had to build a school to teach reading and writing The New England Primer (textbook) taught alphabet, syllables, and prayers. 1st college-Harvard (1636)

Education & Recreation Middle and Southern colonial regions did not have public schools. Southern families were spread out along rivers. A few families hired teachers or sent their children to schools in distant cities. Middle families decided how they wanted to educate their children. Sometimes it was in the home and some sent their children to church schools. Most colonists believed boys should attend school and girls could be educated at home.

Religion: Puritan Church Services Horns and drums sounded Puritans to church on Sundays. Captains of the watch – made sure everyone was at the service. Homes could be searched to ensure all were in attendance. Services held in town meeting house – seats were assigned based on age and wealth. Services could last 5 hours.

The Great Awakening Religion was a central part of New England life, but by early 1700s, the church had become less powerful 1730s-young, exciting ministers began speaking throughout the colonies Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield Gave inspiring sermons and many New England colonists began to make religion a more important part of their lives People felt they were waking up with new faith These revivals encouraged ideas of liberty, equality, and self-reliance. “All were equal in the eyes of God.” These events helped pave the way to the American Revolution.

Great Awakening

Colonial Families Colonial families extended to grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins, and stepchildren Most married in their 20s. Indentured servants were not allowed to marry until they had paid back their debt. There were more men than women. Life was very difficult as a young wife and mother. It could be harder than the life of an indentured servant.

Colonial Families Large families – on average 6-10 children All family members expected to be productive. Half of all children died before adulthood. More children died in middle and southern colonies due to malaria. Adults generally died younger. Women often died in childbirth. Husbands remarried quickly due to large families.

Economy Had a free market economy The people, not the government, decided what to be produced Colonists were free to make the decisions they believed would earn them the most money

Middle Colonies: City Life Philadelphia and New York were the two largest and most important cities in the Middle Colonies Both were ports and centers of shipping and trade The free market economy attracted many merchants, shopkeepers, and artisans Artisan: person who is skilled at making something by hand Many young people became apprentices Someone who studies with a master for 4-7 years to learn a skill

Southern Colonies: Family Life Children of wealthy planters lived fairly easy lives Parents hired teachers to instruct the children in reading, writing, dancing, and music Boys spent free time outdoors, learning to ride horses and hunt Girls learned to sew and sing

African American Culture Slavery was in every colonial region. However it was predominantly used in southern colonies. To survive their harsh lives, enslaved Africans formed close ties with each other Religion was a source of strength Many enslaved people began to practice Christianity and looked to the Bible and its stories for inspiration Sang spirituals Invented and played music on the banjo

African American Culture Atlantic Slave Trade – Ships of cloth, rum, and guns from the colonies sailed to West Africa to trade for slaves. The trip back with their human cargo was known as the middle passage. Work without hope Most were put to work in the fields. Others worked as nurses, carpenters, blacksmiths, drivers, servants, gardeners, and midwives. Their position was fixed with little hope of change. Some slaves rebelled and escaped, but most adapted to their unhappy condition the best they could.

Leisure Bees and Frolics Children’s toys and games for everyone Farmers might organize a “chopping bee” or a “quilting bee” where members of the community would come together to work and clear off land or finish quilts. When the work was done there would be a large feast and dance (a period of fun). Children’s toys and games for everyone Toys: Dolls, marbles, and tops Games: tag, blindman’s bluff, stoolball (like baseball) Backgammon, sledding, bowling Southern: Fox hunting, card playing Fairs were held throughout the colonies