Chapter 4- Life in the Colonies Mr. Bennett- 7 th Grade US History
What do you think this quote says about how colonists viewed the opportunities in North America?
Section 1- Governing the Colonies Look at the map on pages What three countries controlled the territory in North America? 2. What lands (states/countries) are these areas today? 3. How did English political ideas impact the American colonies? 4. What things and ideas came to the Americas from Europe and Africa?
Read the Quote at the top on page What did the assembly do? 2. Who wrote this quote? 3. How was Pennsylvania created?
Focus Question How did English political traditions and ideas about trade impact the colonies?
What were three changes made by the Magna Carta?
Parliament A two-house legislature- a group of people who have the power to make laws. House of Lords- made up of nobles House of Commons- elected by nobles Greatest power= power to approve new taxes. The king could not tax people without the consent of parliament.
English Bill of Rights A list of freedoms the government promises to protect. Trial by jury Habeas corpus Monarch could not levy taxes or raise an army without the consent of parliament
Colonial Self Government Wanted the same rights in the colonies as English citizens. Wanted to govern themselves By 1760, all colonies had a legislature. Laws could be overturned by a British governor though.
Right to Vote Most white men in the colonies could vote. Women could not Native Americans could not Africans could not
Freedom of the Press Colonists believed they should have the right to write and publish the truth without restriction or penalty. Writer John Peter Zenger was arrested for publishing an article in the New York Weekly Journal for writing articles that criticized the governor. Charged with libel- publishing statements that damage someone’s reputation. Alexander Hamilton argued that yes, they did damage the governor’s reputation but, they should not be illegal because they were true. Jury found in favor of Zenger. Established freedom of the press
Regulating Trade Mercantilism- colonies existed for the sole purpose of serving the economic needs of the mother country. England passed the Navigation Acts to protect their trade in the colonies. 1. Shipments from North America to Europe had to go through England first. 2. Ships used had to be made by Britain. 3. Could sell only certain products to England alone. Colonists were outraged because it limited how profitable they could be.
Section 2-Colonial Society Essential Question: What were the characteristics of colonial society?
Family in Colonial Times Many colonists lived with their extended families. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins Most lived on a farm Large families had an advantage. Some lived in towns. Easier for single men and women to survive in a town than on a farm.
Roles and Responsibilities of Men Men: hard labor and farm work, took on a trade like a cooper, carpenter, butcher, tanner, or shoemaker. Controlled income and property Represented the family as voters
Roles of Women Had their spouses chosen for them. When married, a woman’s property and income became her husband’s. Jobs: child-rearing and childcare, took care of the domestic sphere- the home. Cooked, laundry, spun yarn, milked cows, tended to the chickens, churned butter, preserved food. Could not hold office or vote.
Colonial Children Had to work at age 7. Boys labored and worked in the fields with their fathers. Girls learned how to run a house.
Apprentices Someone who learns a trade by working with a master for a certain period of time. Shoemakers, furniture builders, goldsmiths, etc. How did the jobs of girls and boys differ?
Social Classes America vs. Europe In Europe, wealth and class was based on your family (birth) and how much land you owned. Land was owned by very few people. In America, there was plenty of land. More opportunity for moving up in social class.
The Gentry Upper class of colonial society. Very few but very wealthy. Wealthy planters, ministers, merchants, royal officials, and lawyers. Many held jobs in public office. In Virginia, 50 planters owned the majority of all the land in the colony.
The Middle Class Not rich, nor extremely poor. Most of society fell here. Small planters, independent farmers, and artisans Most could vote About 1% of free Africans made up middle class. Middle class offered opportunity in America. If born to a poor family, they could improve their lives.
Indentured Servants Farmhands that signed a contract to work from 4 to 10 years for anyone who would pay for their ocean passage to America. Had very few rights. After serving, they were given 50 acres of land, a set of tools and a set of clothes. Many remained poor after their service.
Free African Americans Very few. Some owned land. Not allowed to vote or sit on juries.
Review Questions for Section 1 and 2 Quiz Page 106 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4, 5, 6 Page 112 1a, 2a, 2b, 4
Chapter4 Section 3- Slavery in the Colonies
The Big Idea Spanish and Portuguese were the first to bring slaves to North America. Slavery would spread to the British colonies. Millions of slaves would be transported to the colonies against their will
Slavery 10 million slaves imported to the colonies between the 1500s and the 1800s. Africans set up slave trading posts on the western coast of Africa. Africans sold Africans into slavery.
Middle Passage The voyage on a ship from Africa to the Western Hemisphere. Slave traders crammed as many Africans as possible onto ships to increase profits. Many died on the ship on the way to the colonies. 15-20% died on the voyage from illness or suicide
Map Questions 1. What two places received the most slaves between 1500 and 1870? 2. Where did most of the slaves come from?
The Slave Trade Once they arrived in the West, they were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Families were split apart ?v=S_m_qXMpLFo
Triangular Trade Threeway trade between Africa, the islands of the Caribbean and the British colonies in North America. Ships from New England sent fish, lumber, and other goods to the Caribbean. Ships from the Caribbean sent rum and molasses back to the colonies. Ships from the colonies sent rum, guns, and other goods to West Africa. West Africa sent African slaves to the islands of the Caribbean.
Slavery takes root Slavery had existed throughout ancient history. Early slaves were only enslaved for several years. American system was much harsher. First slaves in America arrived in Jamestown colony
Why Slavery in the American Colonies? Plantation farming- large farms that focused on growing massive amounts of 1 crop like tobacco or cotton. southern economy came to depend on slavery Conditions improved in England and indentured servants stopped coming to America. Slavery was permanent. Slaves for life.
Attempts to Stop Slavery Rhode Island passed law to ban slavery. Law did not last because traders were making huge profits off the slave trade. Slavery was made legal in all 13 colonies Used racism and religion to justify slavery. Racism- the belief that one race is superior to another. Religion- believed teaching slaves Christianity would offer them salvation
Resistance to Slavery Slave revolts- to rebel Revolts in Virginia and Connecticut Made slave owners have more restrictions on their slaves
Black Codes Black Codes= strict slave laws that restricted the rights of slaves. Enslaved peoples could not meet in large numbers Could not leave plantation without permission Illegal for slaves to learn to read or write. Slave owners could not be tried for murdering their slaves
African Cultural Influences Lives of Africans were different in the North and the South. In the South, Africans had fewer interactions with whites so they were able to preserve many of their African traditions. Spoke Gullah- a Western African dialect. Brought over the banjo and folk stories.