Chapter 4 : American Life In the seventeenth century

Chesapeake – Political Structure similar to county courts in England Governor’s appointed by England Ex – William Berkeley They appointed a council – taxes and local rules House of Burgesses – lower house Elected by the “people” Appointed a governor’s council

Chesapeake - Economic Tobacco  successful and profitable Creation of plantation system Need for large labor force Indentured servants Headright system Bacon’s Rebellion Slavery African slavery grew from Royal African Company – then colonists joined - Some gained freedom until early 1700s Middle Passage By 1750 – half population in VA = slave Reasons for growth – wage increases, new crops, longer life expectancy, increased demand for labor Established slave codes

Chesapeake – Social Mostly men Teens and early 20s Few women and families Late 17th century – eventual population boom Looser gender roles A bit more diverse - German and Scots Irish Strict hierarchy Wealthy plantation owners Not as bougie as English Small farmers Working and Freed indentured servants Slaves Some cities had professional class, but most of South followed strict hierarchy

Chesapeake – Other Geography and Environment Swamp Disease – short life expectancy

New England – Political Colonial legislature handed out land to town leaders to begin new towns Church in the middle and all homes around it Politics organized within the Church Each family given land All land owning men voted Militias established for each town Becomes birth place of Revolution and abolition

New England - Economic Some farming Fishing Clearing woodlands Pastureland and livestock Tradesmen Shipping and ship building

New England – Social Family oriented Married early – LOTS OF BABIES!!!!! (and death….for the mothers and some babies) Strict gender roles Strict spheres of influence and laws Structured social order – church – somewhat democratic Land ownership went through church Education mandatory – public schools – Harvard Not very ethnically diverse

New England – Other Geography and Environment Not as fertile, but “cleaner” and easier to live in Fewer disease – longer life expectancy Religion Congregational Church Slowed religious growth after 1st generation  Half-way Covenant Opened up to more democratic looking society Women many churchgoers Salem Witch Trials Protestant Work Ethic – self-reliance and structured New England towns = significance of this region on US History

Similarities Most people who arrived not super rich or poor Everyone had to work Life not easy and based on seasons and the sun Most people farmers Men worked outside, women worked inside, and children helped where they could