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.