By: Ariel
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In the beginning of the colonial period, religion was very important part of social life. In the New England colonies the Puritans followed only one faith. Later in the Middle Atlantic colonies, more religions were accepted. Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Quakers started to populate the colonies. Women and girls worked in the home and didn't have much power or education. This didn't change at all throughout the colonial time period. In New England and the Middle Atlantic colonies people lived in small villages and their government was local, taking place mostly in town meetings. Later in the southern colonies people lived on plantations and were governed by counties. In the early colonies there weren't any slaves. By 1619, the first Africans came to the colonies. Later the population of slaves and indentured servants increased as the colonists needed labor for their farms and plantations. The people were ruled by the King of England and his power was strong. The years went on and the colonists began to form their own legislation. Documents such as the Frame of Government of Pennsylvania stated the people had freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and trial by jury. This was the first document to provide these rights. The Fundamental Constitution of North and South Carolina gave the colonists the right to make up laws for themselves. However, the authority was still in the hands of the king and that didn't change until the Declaration of Independence in 1776. |
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Colonial Life In America/ Factors Leading to Colonization/ Colonial Life: Social Positions/