2.3 Colonial Society Mrs. Shadoin Mrs. Shadoin Civics and Economics

New England Economy Most people in New England lived in towns, farms were small and located on the towns’ outskirts Most people in New England lived in towns, farms were small and located on the towns’ outskirts Long winters and rocky soil made large-scale farming difficult, many New Englanders owned small businesses such as milling grain or sewing clothes Long winters and rocky soil made large-scale farming difficult, many New Englanders owned small businesses such as milling grain or sewing clothes

New England Economy Shipbuilding was an important industry, the region’s forests provided wood for boats; fishing and whaling employed many people Shipbuilding was an important industry, the region’s forests provided wood for boats; fishing and whaling employed many people

New England Economy The Puritan religion emphasized hard work, modest living and personal virtues such as honesty and obedience; this became known as the Puritan ethic The Puritan religion emphasized hard work, modest living and personal virtues such as honesty and obedience; this became known as the Puritan ethic

Middle Colonies Economy The soil and climate in the Middle Colonies were more suited to agriculture; farmers grew wheat and other cash crops which they sold overseas The soil and climate in the Middle Colonies were more suited to agriculture; farmers grew wheat and other cash crops which they sold overseas

Middle Colonies Economy This foreign trade spurred the growth of busy ports, such as New York and Philadelphia This foreign trade spurred the growth of busy ports, such as New York and Philadelphia Industries such as sawmills, mines, and ironworks were developed to take advantage of the region’s natural resources Industries such as sawmills, mines, and ironworks were developed to take advantage of the region’s natural resources

Southern Colonies Economy In Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, tobacco was the leading crop, rice dominated in South Carolina and Georgia In Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, tobacco was the leading crop, rice dominated in South Carolina and Georgia

Southern Colonies Economy Both crops were grown in the Tidewater, areas of flat, low plains near the seacoast of Virginia and North Carolina Both crops were grown in the Tidewater, areas of flat, low plains near the seacoast of Virginia and North Carolina

Southern Colonies Economy The region’s rivers made it easy to transport the harvested crops to the coast for shipment to overseas markets The region’s rivers made it easy to transport the harvested crops to the coast for shipment to overseas markets

Southern Colonies Economy Charleston, South Carolina became a leader in trade thanks to its harbor Charleston, South Carolina became a leader in trade thanks to its harbor

Southern Colonies Economy Tidewater crops needed large amounts of labor, plantation owners depended on enslaved African workers; small farmers grew tobacco, corn, and other crops and were less dependent on enslaved workers Tidewater crops needed large amounts of labor, plantation owners depended on enslaved African workers; small farmers grew tobacco, corn, and other crops and were less dependent on enslaved workers

Southern Colonies Economy Because agriculture was dominant in the South, the region did not develop much industry or commerce, it traded for manufactured goods it needed Because agriculture was dominant in the South, the region did not develop much industry or commerce, it traded for manufactured goods it needed

Religion In several colonies, such as Massachusetts, religious leaders were often also the leaders of government In several colonies, such as Massachusetts, religious leaders were often also the leaders of government Puritans passed laws that supported their beliefs about religion and society and had the power to expel those who did not share their beliefs Puritans passed laws that supported their beliefs about religion and society and had the power to expel those who did not share their beliefs

Religion Pennsylvania and Rhode Island practiced religious toleration Pennsylvania and Rhode Island practiced religious toleration

Religion In the 1720s, a powerful religious revival known as the Great Awakening swept through the colonies; preachers stressed the importance of a personal religious experience and questioned the authority of some established religious leaders In the 1720s, a powerful religious revival known as the Great Awakening swept through the colonies; preachers stressed the importance of a personal religious experience and questioned the authority of some established religious leaders

Education Religion led to the founding of America’s first colleges and schools; colleges such as Harvard in Massachusetts and Princeton in New Jersey were founded for the purpose of training ministers Religion led to the founding of America’s first colleges and schools; colleges such as Harvard in Massachusetts and Princeton in New Jersey were founded for the purpose of training ministers Massachusetts Hall at Harvard University ( )

Education In some colonies taxes were levied to pay for public education In some colonies taxes were levied to pay for public education Slave Codes made it illegal to teach enslaved workers to read or write Slave Codes made it illegal to teach enslaved workers to read or write 1740 South Carolina Slave Code

Family Life Men were the head of the household, women looked after the children and worked on chores; on farms they worked together, assisted by older children Men were the head of the household, women looked after the children and worked on chores; on farms they worked together, assisted by older children

Family Life In towns women sometimes held jobs outside the home; they worked as maids, cooks, nurses, teachers, shopkeepers, or seamstresses In towns women sometimes held jobs outside the home; they worked as maids, cooks, nurses, teachers, shopkeepers, or seamstresses Families arranged for sons to work as apprentices, or learning assistants to workers who taught them a trade Families arranged for sons to work as apprentices, or learning assistants to workers who taught them a trade

Family Life Married women had few rights, widows and unmarried women could run businesses and own property but women could not vote Married women had few rights, widows and unmarried women could run businesses and own property but women could not vote

Ideas About Government The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening helped to create a spirit of egalitarianism, or equality; colonists believed they possessed all the traditional rights of native English people The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening helped to create a spirit of egalitarianism, or equality; colonists believed they possessed all the traditional rights of native English people

Ideas About Government By 1733, all thirteen English colonies had been established, each with its own constitution and protections for individual rights By 1733, all thirteen English colonies had been established, each with its own constitution and protections for individual rights

Ideas About Government By the mid-1700s many Americans felt they did not possess the rights of English citizens, they believed British policies did not follow Enlightenment ideals By the mid-1700s many Americans felt they did not possess the rights of English citizens, they believed British policies did not follow Enlightenment ideals They accepted John Locke’s idea that government derives its power from consent of the people They accepted John Locke’s idea that government derives its power from consent of the people Americans looked for answers to the problem of a distant and unresponsive British government, many looked to independence Americans looked for answers to the problem of a distant and unresponsive British government, many looked to independence