1. Life in the Colonies
Chapter 4.5

2. Overview What class differences existed in colonial colonies?
How did the Great Awakening affect colonial life?
How did the colonist educate their children?
How were colonies affected by the spread of these new ideas?

3. Colonial Society
Most social classes enjoyed equality then their English counterparts.
Although class distinction existed in North America
Person’s birth and wealth determined their social status

4. The Gentry and Middle Class
Gentry were the wealthy planter, merchants, ministers and successful lawyers.
Below Gentry were the middle class, comprising ¾ of the colonial population
Middle class were farmers who owned land, skilled craftspeople and tradespeople.

5. Women’s Work A wife took care of the household.
She cooked, made clothes and took care of the children.
Backcountry women worked alongside husband in the fields
Single women might work as servants, nurses, others as midwives, and some took up a skill
Some took up trades such as butchering, candlestick and shoe makers.

6. African Cultural Influences
By mid 1700’s, African influences were seen in North America
In the South, where whites were few, African cultures were strong. Example, children names, Quosh, Juba, or Cuff
Gullah language a mix of West African and English blended into American languages.

7. Great Awakening
Powerful Preachers such as Jonathan Edwards preached for young people to examine their lives and heed the teachings of the Bible.
George Whitfield, 1739 preached the gospel, he drew large crowds and the movement spread.

8. Impact of the Great Awakening
It aroused bitter debate.
People began worshiping at home and by oneself.
People would split off from original church.
Caused more tolerance because of the growth of new churches.

9. Impact of Great Awakening
Created a democratic feeling in colonial America.
Teachings that encouraged a spirit of independence
Challenge to authority
If they can worship on their own, then they can govern themselves.

10. Education in the Colonies
New England Colonies – public schools were created by taxes, allowed both rich and poor to get an education
Middle Colonies – churches and individuals families set up private schools. Only wealthy families could educate their children
Southern Colonies – Tutors were hired because schools were to far away. Some wealthy planters sent their children to England

11. Apprentice and Dame Schools
Boys entering trade or craft served as apprentices
Apprentices entered at 12 or 13 and would learn a trade from a master, the apprentice would not get paid.
Dame Schools (New England), girls attended school where they were taught

12. Spread of Ideas Science spreads because of reason and logic
Enlightenment - John Locke, gain knowledge by observing and learning

13. Benjamin Franklin The son of a poor soap and candle maker
He learned from books and self taught math, literature and foreign languages
At 17, created Poor Richards Almanac
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and wise.

14. Trial of John Peter Zenger
Growth of Colonial News placed editors at odds with leaders
Zenger published the Weekly Journal
Zenger criticized New York governor
Placed on trial for libel
Found innocent by jury
First case of Freedom of Speech.