310 likes | 531 Views
Life in the Colonies. As you will recall, 13 successful English colonies were established during the 1600s and 1700s. Buuuut , what was life like throughout the colonies in the 1700s?. Life on a Farm. 9/10 early colonists lived on small farms
E N D
As you will recall, 13 successful English colonies were established during the 1600s and 1700s. Buuuut, what was life like throughout the colonies in the 1700s?
Life on a Farm • 9/10 early colonists lived on small farms • Most families produced everything they needed for food, clothes, etc. from their own farms • This is called Subsistence Farming : farming in which the farmers focus on growing enough food to feed themselves and their families. The typical subsistence farm has a range of crops and animals needed by the family to feed and clothe themselves during the year.
Farm Life • Hard work, • Simple, basic tools • Clear all land • Most families lived in one-room farmhouses, but hoped to achieve wealth • Imagine what it would be like for your family to all share one common space at all times
Work begins at sunrise, every family member is involved in… Cooking, harvesting, cutting wood, tending the fire (keep it going), clearing land, tending crops, building fences, making furniture, making tools, fixing tools, gathering eggs, spinning thread, weaving cloth, sewing clothes, taking care of animals, making baskets, making candles and soap, cleaning, and caring for babies.
Life in Cities • (1750) 1/20 colonist lived in a city • Compared to farm life, cities were exciting places • Heart of the city = waterfront • WHY?
What was in a Typical Colonial City? • Docks-Ships brought news from England, eagerly awaited items (paint, carpets, furniture, books) • Marketplace-Close to docks, fishermen and farmers selling products • Taverns-Food and drink served, socializing • Shops-streets closest to the docks were filled with artisans = skilled craftsmenclockmakers, silversmiths, tailors, etc. • Churches • Homes • And…People, animals, carts, garbage flies, mosquitoes and noise
City Homes • Close together on winding streets • Built with wood, thatched roofs, small windows (glass=$$) • Fire in houses with thatched roofs (for light, cooking, etc.) • DANGEROUS! • No fire department • Buckets left in kitchen, neighbors would help
Rights of Colonists • Colonists in Boston, New York, etc. thought they were English citizens (NOT Americans YET) • They expected the same rights as all other English citizens • The most important right was to have a voice in their government and to be represented properly in their government
Background on English Government England was a monarchy, but slowly over time people gained more power 1215 – King John – Magna Carta(power of monarch is limited) 1265 – Parliament is established (assist king in lawmaking) 1688 — King James II – Glorious Revolution (Parliament overthrows King II) 1689 —English Bill of Rights – King James II William and Mary II, power to make laws and taxes belonged to the representative government and not the king & gave certain rights to the people of England
English colonists in the ‘New World’ brought these ideals of governing with them • Colonists wanted to be represented in England • Colonists wanted to be able to choose who made their laws and imposed their taxes • American government has some of its foundations in English government
Crime & Punishment • Each colonial assembly passed its own laws, however most crimes were treated similarly • Serious crimes could be punished by death • Murder, treason (acts of disloyalty toward the government, piracy • New England-Death “denying the true god” / striking your parent • Other forms of punishment jail, whipping, branding with hot irons • Stocks and public ridicule for lesser crimes
Laws and New England Puritans • Why did Puritans come to the New World? • Religious freedom (for themselves) • Laws: attending church, no work on Sunday, etc. • Salem Witch Trials • 1692 – Massachusetts • Spreading belief that the devil was working through witches • 19 accused witches put to death • More info: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm
Life for African Americans in the Colonies • Beginning of slavery in the colonies • Virginia—tobacco • Lucrative business • Slaves dehumanized to legitimize them as a commodity • Slavery spread North and South and into every colony
The Atlantic Slave Trade • Most slaves to the Americas came from West Africa • Cloth, guns, and rum were traded for…PEOPLE. • The ocean crossing (Africa to Colonies), referred to as the Middle Passage, was horrific. • More info http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3A-T5_LwW0
Vocabulary • Subsistence Farming • Artisans • Rights • Colony • Monarchy • Magna Carta • Parliament • The Glorious Revolution • English Bill of Rights • Great of Awakening
Pick a topic, prepare two slides, email to Ms. A, present to class (due electronically 1/27) • African American Experience • Manners • Animals • Social Classes • Clothes • Tools • Gardens • Town Life • Food • Politics • Religion (71) • Education (72) • Colonial Families • Marriage in the colonies • Leisure (bees and frolics) • Leisure (toys and sports)