Life in the English Colonies Chapter 6

Working and Trading Lesson 1

The Life of a Young Worker Apprentice – a young person who learns a skill from a more experienced person. Worked 12 hours a day with little time off. Being an apprentice was a great opportunity because it was often the only way to become an artisan – a skilled worker. Opportunities for artisans grew as the colonial economy grew in the mid-1700s.

Young People on Farms Many children grew up on farms. Hard work from a young age. Girls – helped their mothers make household products like soap, candles, clothing, and food. Boys – hunted, chopped wood for the fire, and joined their fathers in the field.

Colonial Economy The New England, Middle, and Southern colonies developed different economies. New England economy was based on products from the forests and sea. Ex: Timber, fishing, whaling. Middle Colonies economy was based on farm products and valuable minerals i.e. iron. Southern Colonies economy was based on farming and cash crops like tobacco, rice etc.

Colonial Trade Routes Cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston became trading centers. Slave trade was important to colonial economy. Triangular trade routes – a popular one began in New England and went to the coast of West Africa to trade goods for gold and captive Africans. Middle Passage refers to the second leg of the voyage from West Africa to West Indies. It is known for its cruel conditions that led to many dying during the voyage.

Cities, Towns, and Farms Lesson 2

City Life 1760 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the largest city in the 13 colonies. It’s success was tied to the work of Benjamin Franklin. 1723 - Franklin went to Philadelphia to become a printer. Printing was only done in cities. Franklin started the city’s first newspaper, first public library, and first hospital. Franklin also started the first volunteer fire department in the colonies.

Colonial Towns New England towns were mostly self-sufficient – relied on themselves for most of what they needed. Town common was a space for cattle and sheep to graze. Meeting house was the most important building. Middle Colonies had small towns that served as busy market places.

Southern Plantations Large farms where cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo were grown. Largely self-sufficient. Owned by wealthy landowners called planters. Mostly men. Eliza Lucas Pickney managed plantations in South Carolina and was the first to raise a successful crop of indigo. Much of the work was done by enslaved Africans. Overseers were the plantation managers that oversaw daily work.

Small Family Farms The majority of people in the colonies lived on small family farms. Farming families had to mostly grow what they needed. It was hard work for family members of all ages.

Everyday Life in the Colonies Lesson 3

Colonial Schools 1647 – New England established the first free public schools. The idea would spread throughout the colonies. Schools had one room for all ages where reading writing, and arithmetic were taught. Students learned the rules of polite behavior. By early teens most children were either apprentices or working on the family farm.

Colonial Colleges Very few young people went to college. The majority of kids were apprentices or working on farms by their early teens. Harvard in Boston is the oldest college in the U.S. opened in 1636. College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia is the second oldest opening in 1693.

Children’s Free Time Most of the time not in school was spent doing chores. During their limited free time children: Danced, played hide-and-seek and tag, climbed trees, went swimming, and flew kites. During the winter children went ice skating.

Religion Religion was important in all the colonies. Many had been founded for religious freedom. The colonies continued to be places of refuge for people fleeing religious persecution. Ex: many Jews came to New York, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. 1763 – oldest synagogue in the U.S. built in Newport, Rhode Island.

The Great Awakening An important religious movement among Christians beginning in the 1730s. Revived interest in religion amongst many colonists. Led by Protestant preachers who travelled giving emotional sermons. Effects of the Great Awakening: new churches built, colleges opened to train ministers, a desire to help others

George Whitefield Great Awakening leader who traveled the colonies to collect money to build an orphanage in Georgia. Benjamin Franklin was inspired by Whitefield that he donated all the money he had in his pockets when he heard him speak in Philadelphia.

Reading Reading and letter writing were important to the colonists. Letters allowed colonists to stay in touch. Paper was expensive so wax was used to seal paper not envelopes. Reading was entertainment after a long day. Families would gather and be read to by another family member.

What did the colonists read? Books Bible was the highest selling book. Poor Richard’s Almanac by Benjamin Franklin was one of the most popular books Almanac is a reference book with facts and figures. Newspapers Boston News-Letter was the first newspaper to be published regularly in the 13 colonies.

John Peter Zenger Having viewpoints opposing the government wasn’t safe. 1734 – Zenger was put in a New York City jail for the political opinions he printed in his newspaper The New York Weekly Journal. Zenger spoke out against New York’s governor, William Cosby, and was arrested for “seditious libel.” Andrew Hamilton, Zenger’s lawyer, argued his client had a right to print the truth. The jury found Zenger not guilty. Effect: The first victory for freedom of the press.

Colonial Meals Corn used to make bread, puddings, and pancakes. Stews were made of fish or meat with vegetables and seasoned with salt and pepper. Desserts: ice cream, donuts, and fruit pies (ex: apple pies).

Slavery in the Colonies Lesson 4

Slavery in the Colonies In the 1700s, there were thousands of slaves in the 13 colonies. Slavery took place in the all regions but grew the most in the south. We know about slavery because slaves like Olaudah Equiano wrote about their lives. In his writing, he reminds the reader of the evils of slavery.

Slavery in the North Some Africans in New England and Middle Colonies worked on farms. Most worked in the towns and cities. Stores, inns, and as artisans As cooks or servants in homes.

Opportunities for Slaves in the North In the North some slaves could work at night and make money to buy their freedom. Ex: Venture Smith wrote about the story of his life as a slave. He worked over a long period of time to buy his freedom.

Slave Laws in the North Strict laws limiting slaves so it was hard for them to escape. Required written permission to travel and go onto a ship.

Slavery in the South Some worked on farms or small cities. The majority were on large plantations with up to 100 fellow slaves. African slaves brought different skills such as growing rice or carpentry, blacksmiths, or tailors.

Life on a Plantation Forced to work long hours in harsh conditions. Slaves tried to maintain family ties but family members were often separated and sold. Slaves tried to maintain African culture by making instruments like drums and banjos. Plantation owners feared slaves were trying to send messages and banned the instruments.

Slave Resistance Working slowly Faking sick Breaking tools Free Africans and some whites snuck slaves money so they could escape. Armed rebellions

Stono Rebellion An armed rebellion in 1739. A group of enslaved people fought with slave owners. Took place near the Stono River in South Carolina. 25 white colonists were killed. Slaves were captured and executed.