1. Colonial Culture: Three Ways of Life

2. New England Colonies Massachusetts Rhode Island New Hampshire
Connecticut

3. Political (Government)
The Mayflower Compact established the principle that government comes from the people
Town meetings were the most direct form of democracy in the New England colonies.

4. Economic (Finances)
Fishing, shipbuilding, sea trade, naval stores, furs. Thin, rocky soil made farming unproductive. Only subsistence farming was present.

5. Religious
Congregational Church was the state, tax-supported church (except in Rhode Island).
It was created by the Puritans/Pilgrims who came to America for religious freedom.
They hoped to create a “city upon a hill” as a model of godliness
Roger Williams was banished to RI because he believed in separation of Church and State.

6. Social (Relationships)
Urban; towns surrounded by fields
Strong sense of community
Supported compulsory public education

7. Middle Colonies

8. Political
As in Virginia, all the colonies eventually had a representative legislature (called assembly), with the power to vote on taxes.
Members were elected by white male property owners (and in a few colonies, female property owners).

9. Economic Family grain farms (foodstuffs) Seaports Iron works
Bread Basket

10. Religious
Quaker belief in “inner light” fostered tolerance of other religions.

11. Social The most egalitarian of the colonies (a matter of degree).
Private (Dame) schools offered education to some
                         

12. Southern Colonies

13. Political The king chose the governor and council.
The House of Burgesses was representative and was made up of white male property owners.

14. Economic
Joint-stock companies originally sent settlers to southern colonies
Geography lended itself to plantations and small farms that grew cash crops of tobacco, rice, and indigo.
Indentured servants and African slaves were used as workers.

15. Religious
Anglican Church the state church: taxes and membership required
The Act of Toleration allowed all religions to practice freely in Roman Catholic Maryland.

16. Social
Rural; few towns. Plantation life modeled on English country life.
Authoritarian and deference societies.
Wealthy were educated by tutors or sent to England for education.