3.2 Social Classes Pgs.

The Upper Class All 3 regions had their upper class people, who were sometimes referred to as aristocrats because of their refined taste and manners. New England – merchants, traders, clergy. Names such as Winthrop, Mather, and Hancock meant wealth.

The Upper Class Middle and South – people who owned lots of land. A few gained land by marrying rich people.

The Upper Class Upper-class families enjoyed more comforts than other families. Imported clothes, furniture, and other things from Europe. Their sons received the best education money could buy. Servants helped the family with chores.

Middle Class The Middle Class was neither wealthy nor poor. Many eventually made their way up the social latter.

Middle Class They owned their own land had decent housing. They couldn’t afford luxury such as servants. They worked as: farmers, clergy, shopkeepers, ship captains, carpenters and black smiths.

The Lower Classes Servants Redemptioners from continental Europe with their families and possessions. Couldn’t afford passage, so hoped to find someone to to work for to pay off debt.

The Lower Classes Indentured Servants Usually single men (18-30); agreed to become servants to pay for passage to America. A servant couldn’t marry without their master’s consent. If you tried to run away, you had to pay with additional service.

The Lower Classes When their service was complete, servants were granted “freedom dues” such as: Land Suit Ax and hoe Cash

The Lower Classes Some became quite successful. Charles Thompson (PA) – Secretary of Continental Congress. Matthew Thornton (NH) – signed declaration of Independence.

Slaves The first African slaves were brought to Jamestown in 1619. They were originally indentured servants, but before long the practice of enslaving Africans became normal.

Slaves The average slave cost was 5x’s of a indentured servant, but they would be slaves for life. Settlers began wanting more and more slaves.

Slaves Since slaves were property, their children also became slaves. Rich Europeans were used to having others do their work for them.

Slaves Greed and selfishness often gave people justification for these terrible actions. Proverbs 16:15 - There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Slaves Approximately 10 million slaves were transported from Africa to the New World. Slaves went to the Caribbean, America, and South America. By 1730, 30% of the population in southern Pennsylvania were slaves.

Slaves By 1760, 60% of the population in South Carolina were slaves. Slaves became extremely popular in the south.

Slaves In the north, slaves were mainly used as servants in upper-class homes. Slaves could not move up the ladder.

Slaves On a rare instance a slave was free, a black person had to carry papers to show they were free. Even then there were still denied: Education Religious freedom Voting rights.

Slaves Most slaves worked 16-20 hours a day, 6 times a week. Most workers had the same schedule, but they were getting paid.

Slaves There is no price on freedom. Laws were set limiting the hours a slave could work in a week, but they were almost never enforced.

Watch John Green Video on Slavery