Overview
This lecture provides an overview of colonial society, focusing on its structure, key groups, and major social characteristics.
Social Structure of Colonial Society
- Colonial society was hierarchical, with clear divisions between upper, middle, and lower classes.
- The gentry or planter elite held most political and economic power in southern colonies.
- Artisans, small farmers, and merchants formed the middle class, particularly in northern colonies.
- Indentured servants and enslaved Africans made up the lowest social classes.
Groups within Colonial Society
- Enslaved Africans worked primarily on plantations and had no legal rights.
- Indentured servants worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America.
- Free people of color sometimes gained limited rights, especially in urban areas.
- Native Americans were largely excluded from colonial society and faced displacement.
Daily Life and Culture
- Religion played a central role, with different colonies practicing various faiths (e.g., Puritans in New England, Anglicans in the South).
- Education varied by region; New England colonies emphasized literacy and schooling more than southern colonies.
- Town meetings and local assemblies allowed some colonists to participate in self-government.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Gentry — wealthy landowners, often holding political power in colonial society.
- Indentured servants — individuals who worked for a period to pay off passage to the colonies.
- Enslaved Africans — people forcibly brought to America and treated as property.
- Town meeting — a form of local government in New England where residents made decisions collectively.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review class notes on the economic and social differences between New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.
- Read assigned textbook chapter on colonial social structures and daily life.