Life in Colonial America The colonies didn’t get along. They were jealous of each other. The colonies continued to grow due to economic success, religious and political freedom This attracted a steady flow of new settlers

Commercial New England Long winters and poor soil made large- scale farming difficult. Subsistence farming – produced just enough to meet the needs of their families.

New England Shipbuilding was an important New England industry lumber was transported from the forests by way of rivers New England was the center of the shipping trade It linked the colonies to other parts of the world.

Triangular Trade – routes linking New England colonies to England and the West Indies

Growth of the Middle Colonies Due to fertile soil and milder climate, they cultivated larger areas – produced bigger harvests Cash Crops – crops grown solely for profit This attracted non-English settlers – German, Dutch, Swedish… This brought about the development of cultural diversity and tolerance Other Jobs: carpentry, flour making, lumbering, mining, small-scale manufacturing

Southern Colonies – Plantation Life The south was well suited for cash crops Tobacco, rice, and indigo were major crops Plantations Began using indentured servants – laborers who agreed to work without pay for a certain period of time to pay for their passage to America When it got too expensive, they turned to enslaving Africans

Slave trade was important to the Southern Colonies

Inhumane shipping of slaves was known as the “Middle Passage”

a. Tight Pack putting as many slaves as possible on the boat *more slaves started the trip, but more died on the way

b. Loose Pack limiting the number on the boat to maximize survival

Slave Ship Interior

“Coffin” Position: Onboard a Slave Ship

Onboard the Slave Ship

Revolt Aboard a Slave Ship

African Captives Thrown Overboard Sharks followed the slave ships across the Atlantic!

Slave Auction in the Southern U. S.

Notice of a Slave Auction

The slaves suffered great cruelty Slave codes, laws to force slaves to cooperate, were encouraged

Slave With Iron Muzzle

30 Lashes

Whipped Slave, early 19c

Southern Colonies – Plantation Life Families were torn apart A few slaves were able to learn skills and lucky enough to buy their freedom Some northern colonists did not believe in slavery, which eventually led to the civil war

New American Culture Religion, education, and the arts contributed to a new American culture The Great Awakening Religion became less fervid in the 18 th century due to relaxed church doctrine. Jonathan Edwards George Whitefield

Education At first, children were taught at home New England –1647 Massachusetts Puritans passed a law stating that colonies must have a teacher paid through taxes Middle Colonies –schooling was not as universal but widespread Southern Colonies –formal education limited to large landowners and professionals (lawyers, doctors)

Education Schools were primitive –few books, instruction only 2-3 months a year –most students didn’t make it beyond primary –most girls received little education –yet there was a high proportion of people who could read and write

Enlightenment –began in Europe –They believed that knowledge, reason, and science could improve society. –The best known scientist of that time was Ben Franklin – –He later helped guide the colonies to freedom in the 1770’s

The Press Books, newspapers, almanacs spread knowledge Almanacs were popular – they included a calendar of important dates and holidays, sunrise/sunset times, advice on farming, poems, news of the year, practical advice

The Press Books, newspapers, almanacs spread knowledge Almanacs were popular – they included a calendar of important dates and holidays, sunrise/sunset times, advice on farming, poems, news of the year, practical advice

Charter Colonies Charter Colonies: England granted a charter, a grant of rights and privileges from England to stockholders

Proprietary Colonies Owned by an individual proprietor or a small group of proprietors ( landowner) England began to change colonies into royal colonies under their control –England appointed a governor and upper council –Colonists selected lower council –Implemented tax laws and restrictions –Only white male landowners could vote –Helped prepare them for the future

Proprietary Colonies Britain controlled the colonies trade through the Navigation Acts –Colonies had to sell to Britain, even if they could get a better price somewhere else –Colonist grew to resent Britain –Some began smuggling goods out of the country