1. Life in Colonial America

2. Colonial Society What determined a place in society:
Wealth
Gender
Race
Differences between social rank could be seen in clothing, houses, and manners

3. Wealth in Land Foundation of real wealth was the land
Majority of landowners were white males
These men dominated politics
Lawyers, planters, and merchants held most of the seats in the colonial assemblies
Wealthy children received the best educations

4. Trades and Occupations
Artisans
These tradespeople were important in the colonies
Tinware, pottery, cabinets, glassware
Printers
Colonial printers gathered and circulated local news and information
Benjamin Franklin was one of America’s most famous printers in the 1700’s
Farmers and Fishermen
Many colonial settlers turned to the seas
A growth of shipbuilding occurred
Indentured Servants

5. Colonial Women
The status of colonial women was determined by the men in their lives
A woman was under her husband’s control
English law allowed husbands to beat their wives without fear of prosecution
Women handled the household operations

6. The Nature of Work
Colonists had to work very hard to keep themselves and their families alive
Self-Sufficient
Children helped both parents from an early age

7. Colonial Education Attendance at school was not required by law
Literacy rates were higher in New England than anywhere else in British North America
Boys attended the grammar school to prepare for college
Girls did not go to school
Universities were being established

8. Questions to Consider
Why was social rank so important during this time?
What occupations were important during this time? What did they contribute?
Why was land so valuable?