Unit 1 Three Worlds Meet Chapter 5 Beginnings

Unit 1: Three Worlds Meet Chapter 5: Beginnings of an American Identity Section 1: Early American Culture

This picture is on pages 132 and 133 in your text. n n n Describe the expressions on their faces. What would you think Patrick Henry’s saying? Some people look “confused. ” Why?

There came a time in Colonial history where colonists were angry. n n They felt that some of their personal rights were being taken away. You start to see some of this in the late 1600’s.

Social “rank” in America today n n n Upper upper Lower upper Upper middle Lower middle Upper lower Lower lower

Social “rank” in the Colonies n Large landowners, church officials, government officials, and wealthy merchants. Small farmers and tradespeople. n Renters. n Unskilled workers. n Indentured servants and slaves. n

Rich vs. Poor in Colonial Times n n n There were “ranks” White, male landowners could vote. Poor showed respect to “betters” by bowing or tipping a hat. Church – rich in front / poor in back Rich were expected to help the poor if they needed it. Poor people might sometimes have to barter (trading goods or services instead of money) n Owning land was one of the most important goals in colonial times

Families in colonial times had lots of kids……. n but not necessarily lots of children Had lots of kids: 7, 8, 10, 12…. . n ¼ of all babies died before their 5 th birthday Childbirth was the “cause of death” for half of all women’s deaths n Let’s find that page in your packet n n

Women n n n Did not have many rights. Could not vote. Could not preach. Could not hold public office. Could not own property without her husbands permission. Laws said any money she made belonged to her husband. Worked VERY hard.

Children: were expected to be “useful” when they were about 6 years old n n Boys – were often “apprenticed” at the age of 11. (Learned a trade from an expert) This “master” was responsible for their food, clothing, shelter, and a basic education for 4 -7 years. Then the young man would start his own business. n. Orphans: n n Girls – learned household thing from their moms In New England – at 13 or so would often be sent to work in a factory or for another family / business would work as servants for other families

School n n n Most children were taught to read (so they could read the bible). Richer families kids learned writing and arithmetic. Most children finished school when they were 7. School was thought to bee more important for boys Educated African Americans were rare (often illegal to teach them to read).

Newspapers and books n n n At first, most books came from England Almanacs were among the first books published by the colonists and were very popular. One famous almanac: Poor Richard’s Almanac – written by Ben Franklin.

And… there’s always a religious angle to what's going on in many of the Colonies n n A lot of people were afraid the colonists were straying away from the bible and religion. Preachers made a big push to try and get everyone back to church and to God. Many preachers tried to scare people with images of hell and descriptions of God’s anger towards them. This was called “the Great Awakening”

It was also a time of “enlightenment” in the world n n n These ideas centered around reason and science being the paths to knowledge. Started in Europe, but also spread to the Colonies. Ben Franklin was an early enlightenment figure. n From this came the idea that people are guaranteed the right to life, liberty, and property, and if the government can’t do that, then the people should get a new government

Today’s essential question: How is American life influence by economic forces? How were any of the following groups of women lives influenced by economic forces? Enslaved African Women / White Farm Women / White Town and City Women