colonial life in the americas

Colonial Life in the Americas

1607-1776

Who were the Colonists?

Colonies were made up of mostly independent farmers (90%).

Who were the Colonists?-Skilled collection of citizens: farmers, metal workers, politicians, doctors, merchants, carpenters, slaves, and indentured servants.

Diverse population:85% English, Irish, Dutch, German, Scottish.

10% Slaves and indentured servants and Native Americans.

Governance 1600’s to early 1700’s: Colonies mostly SELF-GOVERNED, each colony set their own laws and rules, but still under British control.

BENEFITS OF COLONIAL LIFE COMPARED TO ENGLISH LIFE

-Lower death rate in the colonies compared to England.-Higher birth rate than babies born in England.-Lower tax rate than English citizens.-Colonists weighed more and were taller than English citizens.

Colonial Medicine/Healthcare-Families practiced home remedies and traditional therapies due to lack of professional training in the colonies.

Colonial Medicine/Healthcare-Diseases spread easily through the colonies like: Smallpox, Yellow Fever, and Malaria. These diseases would return in different seasons.

-Doctor’s tools and medicine basic as well.

Vaccinations Vaccinations helped prevent spread of Smallpox with colonists. This still often resulted in a dangerous recovery period for the very young and old.

Indentured Servants and Slavery• The idea of indentured servitude

was born of a need for cheap labor.

• Indentured servants became vital to the colonial economy.

• Usually worked 4-7 years in exchange for the trip to the Americas, room, and board.

• indentured servant's contract could be extended as punishment for breaking a law, such as running away, or in the case of female servants, becoming pregnant.

• From 1620-1700 Slavery grew in the colonies to 21,000.

• By 1770’s-there were over 100,000 slaves in the colonies.

• Slavery replaced Indentured Servants in the Colonies because they were cheaper and would not be granted their citizenship and freedom in the colonies at the end of a term of service, like the indentured servants were offered.