Chapter 4 section 2 2013

Chapter 4 Section 2Colonial SocietyPrentice HallAmerica History of Our NationA. Barnette 2013

The Family in Colonial Times

Farm Life◦ Extended families◦ Responsibilities

for each family member

◦ Self-sufficient◦ Uncomfortable

furnishings◦ Made their own

entertainment

The Family in Colonial Times

City Life◦ Easier to live as a

single person◦ Single people

usually lived as a servant or in a boarding house

◦ Family ties still important

Men, Women, and Children

Each had different important roles in the family.

Men, Women, and Children

Men-had authority over household and acted as the family representative

Women A woman was expected to

marry, not because of love, but because her parents thought the man would be the best fit religiously, socially, and economically for her.

She submitted to the husband’s authority, and acted as his helpmeet.

She did household chores of the time: churning, spinning yarn, sewing, cleaning, cooking over an open fire, tending to the “close in” needs like milking, chicken feeding, garden tending.

She couldn’t vote.

ChildrenUnless they were

wealthy, children usually had homemade toys.

By the age of 7, they had responsibilities that grew with them.

Boys might be sent to live away from the family as an apprentice to learn a trade.

Social ClassesThe major

determinant of social class was how much land one owned.

Social class tended to be constant for generations, but could be improved in the colonies.

The GentryThe Upper Class

◦ Wealthy planters◦ Royal officials◦ Merchants◦ Successful lawyers◦ Extremely

successful artisans◦ Often felt a great

responsibility to serve their community

The Middle ClassNot rich or poor

◦ Small planters◦ Independent

farmers◦ Artisans◦ White colonists

and free blacks◦ Could vote◦ A growing

segment of society in the colonies

Indentured ServantsThey contracted their

service for a number of years in order to get the opportunity to live in the colonies.

They were often treated cruelly.

If they endured the contract period, they might receive little land and some essential needs.

They often remained poor.

Free African AmericansThere were only

about 60,000 free African American people, as opposed to 757,000 slaves.

Some bought, sold, and held slaves themselves.

They could own property, but could not vote.