Colonial Culture Life in the Colonies, 1607 – 1776
New England Colonies
Geography Every colony had access to the coast Short growing season Harsh winters/cold climate Hard/rocky soil Large forests
Mayflower Compact – 1st doc of self-gov’t Fundamental Orders of CT – 1st constitution
Subsistence Farming: depend on children for labor Small business: craftspeople Shipbuilding & fishing
Middle Colonies
Geography Every colony had access to the coast Moderate growing season Mild winters/warm summers Fertile soil good for farming Large forests Iron ore mined in the mountains
Nicknamed the “Bread Basket” Wheat & livestock shipped to NYC and Philadelphia
Small scale manufacturing Woodworking/sawyer Candle-making Textiles Blacksmith
Most ethnically (nationalities) diverse colonies Treated most people as equals
Southern Colonies
Geography Long growing season Hot climate Flat land & good soil Many rivers to transport crops Every colony on the coast
VA House of Burgesses - 1st rep. assembly
Cash crops- tobacco, rice, indigo Farmers
Labor Source Indentured servants Easy availability of land Limit immigrant workers Hiring workers becomes difficult Indentured servants Slaves (by 1700, legal in all colonies) - Labor under contract
Not all colonists believed in slavery Labor Source Slaves were brought to American on the Middle Passage of the triangular trade route Slave codes were passed to control slaves (ex: making it illegal to teach them to read) Not all colonists believed in slavery