1. Section 2: Life in Colonial America
Chapter 3
Section 2: Life in Colonial America

2. Colonial Society
A person’s wealth, gender, or race went a long way toward determining their place in society
Belief that people aren’t equal
Gentry- set themselves apart by clothing
Wigs, silk stockings, lace cuffs, etc “Gentle folk”

3. Wealth in Land
Adult, single women & free African Americans could own land but very few did
Small group of elite landowning men dominated politics

4. At a young age boys become apprentices to learn a trade
Trade & Occupations
Artisans
At a young age boys become apprentices to learn a trade
Provided silver goods, furniture, tin ware, pottery, & glassware

5. Printers
Gathered & circulated local news & information
Had to be cautious or could be arrested
Almanacs

6. New England farmers worked the thin, rocky soil
Farmers & Fisherman
New England farmers worked the thin, rocky soil
Many earned a living through the sea- haddock, bass, clams, mussels, & crabs

7. Colonial Women
Status was determined by their men (under husband’s control)
Women & the Law
Men had unlimited power
Women’s duties
Cooking, gardening, washing, cleaning, weaving cloth, & sewing

8. Colonists ate better, lived longer, & had more children
The Nature of Work
Colonists ate better, lived longer, & had more children
More opportunity to advance in wealth & status

9. Everyone work to maintain the household by producing food & goods
Goals of the household was to be self sufficient

10. Colonial Education
School attendance was not mandatory & most children received little education
New England colonies became early leader because of the Puritans
Believed everyone should be able to read the Bible

11. 1674- Massachusetts required towns with at least 50 families to have a school master to teach Reading, writing, & arithmetic
100 families had to have a grammar school with instruction in Greek & Latin
Girls didn’t go

12. Colonial colleges training ministers & lawyers
Only wealthy attended
3 colleges by 1740’s
Harvard 1636, William & Mary, VA 1693, & Yale, Connecticut 1703
By colleges were in the Middle & New England colonies