Post on 03-Jan-2016
Colonial Culture: Three Ways of
Life
1607-1776
New England Colonies
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Connecticut
Rhode Island
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.
Economic (Finances)
• Fishing, shipbuilding, sea trade, naval stores, furs. Thin, rocky soil made farming unproductive. Only subsistence farming was present.
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.
Social (Relationships)• Urban; towns surrounded by fields
• Strong sense of community
• Supported compulsory public education
Middle Colonies
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).
Economic
• Family grain farms (foodstuffs)
• Seaports
• Iron works
Bread Basket
Religious• Quaker belief in “inner light” fostered
tolerance of other religions.
Social• The most egalitarian of the colonies (a
matter of degree).
• Private (Dame) schools offered education to some
Southern Colonies
Political• The king chose the governor and council.
• The House of Burgesses was representative and was made up of white male property owners.
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.
Religious• Anglican Church the state church: taxes
and membership required
• The Act of Toleration allowed all religions to practice freely in Roman Catholic Maryland.
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.