1. Life in the American Colonies

2. By 1775, the most populous colonies in America were Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Maryland.
Since 1760, the overall population had increased by almost 1 million people largely because of a high birthrate.
It was not uncommon for a man to go through several wives because they often died in childbirth.
Most of this population lived in rural areas.

3. Ethnic Composition of the Colonies
English largest ethnic group
Many Germans moved to Pennsylvania
Large number of Scotch-Irish lived along the frontier
Largest non-English group was African, most of whom were slaves. The vast majority of African-Americans lived in the South.

4. Social Organization
Aristocrats including merchants, officials and clergymen
Lesser professionals
Yeoman farmers
Manual workers and hired hands
Indentured servants and criminals
African-American slaves

5. Everyday Life
Medicine: Bleeding was a common practice. Barbers and physicians practiced medicine.
Sanitation: Poor. Smallpox was common. No running water or plumbing. Trash often thrown in the streets.
Transportation: Poor system of roads making long distance communication difficult. Taverns along roads were important places for gossip and information.
Food: Abundant. America provided fertile land and ample hunting grounds.
Amusement: Houseraisings, quilting bees and other work opportunities allowed people to gather. Religion was very important and provided another gathering place.

6. Work Most individuals were farmers. Land was cheap and abundant.
Lumbering was most important manufacturing activity.
Triangle Trade
Source: Florida Virtual School

7.            
       
    
Religion
Two established religions (1775) - Anglican and Congregational.
Roman Catholics were discriminated against.
Salem Witch Trials occurred in 1692
Great Awakening - This religious revival was America's first mass movement. Two clergymen who helped lead this mass wave of evangelism were Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather.

8. Education
New England: Primary and secondary schools were established early so individuals could read their Bible.
South: Mass education not common. Wealthier families used tutors.
New England: College education important. Harvard University was founded in 1636 partially to train new clergy. Many families sent their children to England for study.

9. Art and Literature Art was not a major concern in early America.
Architecture was modeled after England.
Literature was mainly theological in nature. Jonathan Edwards was one of the main authors.
Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard's Almanack that was known for its pithy sayings like: Waste Not, Want Not.
Franklin set up the first privately supported library in America.
Printing presses and newspapers were common.

10. Politics
By the Revolution, eight colonies had royal governors, three had proprietors who chose governors, and two elected their own governors.
Almost all colonies had a two-house legislative body.
London did not spend a lot of time administering the colonies. This was known as 'salutary neglect.'
Local government varied. In the South, counties ruled. In New England, the citizens participated in town meetings.
A tradition of self-rule became grounded in the colonies.