Colonial Life

Part 1 - Governing English Parliament Review –Magna Carta (1215) – signed by King John Limited the monarch’s right to levy taxes Originally only intended for nobles but extended to all citizens The Magna Carta formed Parliament a two-house lawmaking body –House of Lords - nobles inherited power – House of Commons – members elected by rich men and landowners –Parliament’s Greatest power = approving new taxes –English Bill of Rights (1689) – King William and Queen Mary Glorious Revolution removed King James from power and invited his daughter and her husband to rule since they were more open to expand Parliament’s power

Critical Thinking: Name two ideas or parts of English government that influenced our American government.

Part 1 - Governing Colonial Self-Government –Colonists called for a voice in government and to rule themselves due to the influence of English laws. –Colonial Legislatures 1619 – Virginia Company allowed House of Burgesses to make laws for Jamestown Company (1 st legislature in British North America) – General Court set up in Massachusetts where colonists elected delegates (representatives) William Penn given ownership of Pennsylvania by the British –As Royal Governor, only Penn and his council could make laws, not citizens. – 1701 – Colonists forced Penn to agree to let the General Assembly make laws that only the King could overturn.

Part 1 - Governing 1760 – Every British colony in North America had some form of legislature (law making body). –Legislatures clashed with the King of England and their own colonial governors who usually supported King. –Right to Vote in the Colonies 50% to 75% of all white males could vote Much higher percentage than in England Africans, Native Americans, slaves, non-land owners, and women could not vote.

Questions: Who was given ownership of Pennsylvania by the British? Who could vote in the American colonies?

Part 1 - Governing Regulating Trade –Mercantilism = colonies existed to serve the economic needs of England The colonies were sources of raw materials and sales opportunities for England Navigation Acts – –1) Shipments from Europe to the colonies had to pass through England first. –2) Only ships built and owned by England were allowed to import goods to England from the colonies. –3) The colonists could sell certain key items (tobacco, sugar, etc) to England only. –Benefited colonists because it ensured a market for their goods and encouraged ship building. –Some colonists resented Acts because they felt they favored English merchants and restricted the amount of money they could make.

Critical Thinking: How did the Navigation Acts benefit the colonies? Why would the Navigation Acts encourage smuggling in the colonies?

Part 2 - Society Families –Very important, included extended family –Farm Families – most colonists lived on farms Large families an advantage Closely knit and self-sufficient Responsibilities given to each family member –Examples: Planting, cultivating, harvesting, housework Houses were not very comfortable –Made out of wood, few rooms, crude utensils, cold during winter –Town Families Few cities and towns Easier for single people Family still held in high regard Singles expected to live with family or board in someone’s home

Part 2 - Society Roles –Men Controled income Managed property Commanded authority Represented household in public life –Voting, officeholder –Women Married men chosen by parent –Based on property, religion, and family needs Many domestic responsibilities –Cooking, laundry, gardening, farming Little or no public life

Part 2 - Society –Young People Under seven years old –Played jump rope, hopscotch, marbles, and homemade toys –The wealthier the family, the better the toys Expected to work by seven years of age –If they lived through infancy Girls = Worked in the home Boys = Worked in the fields or as apprentices –Apprenticeship – prepared boys to work in future professions Adults believed working prepared children for life as an adult

Questions: Why were large families an advantage in Colonial America? What household person managed property and controlled income?

Part 2 - Society Social Classes –In England, land ownership measured wealth. –Land in American colonies was plentiful which made it appealing to Englishmen. –Social status in England was determined by birth. –American colonies had classes but were more socially equal than in England.

Part 2 - Society –Gentry Upper class colonials –Planters, merchants, ministers, officials, lawyers Few in number Most powerful people Gentry often held official jobs because there was no pay for those jobs –Considered serving a duty and a right –Middle Class Majority of colonists –Planters, independent farmers, artisans Not rich, not poor Mainly white Continually growing Gave poor something to strive for

Part 2 - Society –Indentured Servants Contracted workers doing 4 to 10 years work for person who paid for them to go to the colonies Just above slaves 1600s - most came from England 1700s – growing numbers from Germany and Ireland Few, if any, rights Bound to obey master who could work them to death and add service time for disobeying or committing criminal activity At end of service, received a set of clothes, tools, and 50 acres of land Only 2/10 became prosperous –Free African Americans 60,000 free in 1790 compared to 757,000 enslaved Allowed to own property and slaves Had restricted lives

Questions: How do you feel about Africans in the colonies could own slaves? Explain. Would you have been an indentured servant in Colonial America? Why or why not?