New England SocietyNew England Society

LaborLabor

SocietySociety

FamilyFamily

ChurchChurch

EducationEducation

Salem Witch TrialSalem Witch Trial

The 13 ColoniesThe 13 Colonies

Sources of Labor Sources of Labor

• Plenty of land, not enough laborPlenty of land, not enough labor

• Family: economic unit, division of labor,Family: economic unit, division of labor,– Children owed father their laborChildren owed father their labor

• Apprenticeship: boy of 12 learned a tradeApprenticeship: boy of 12 learned a trade– Lived with a worker for 4-5 years. Lived with a worker for 4-5 years.

• Indentured Servitude: 5-7 years work inIndentured Servitude: 5-7 years work in– Exchange for transportation costs. Exchange for transportation costs.

• Slavery: chattel slavery, from Africa. Slavery: chattel slavery, from Africa. – From 1660s in the South.From 1660s in the South.

New England SocietyNew England Society

Yeoman farmers: no paupers, no noblesYeoman farmers: no paupers, no nobles• Sumptuary laws: modestySumptuary laws: modesty• Wealthy Families: leadership, the Wealthy Families: leadership, the

“elect”“elect”– Responsibility: Winthorps, Mathers, Responsibility: Winthorps, Mathers,

• High degree of social mobilityHigh degree of social mobility• Community- their mission was to create Community- their mission was to create

– A pure society based on their religion. A pure society based on their religion. – Social Harmony vital.Social Harmony vital.

1680 Massachusetts House1680 Massachusetts House

Town Hall, BostonTown Hall, Boston

New England FamilyNew England Family

• Patriarchal: Father head of familyPatriarchal: Father head of family

• Family unit ordained by God. Family unit ordained by God.

• Wife had vital role: educated Wife had vital role: educated children, children, – Run house, improve family, lots of workRun house, improve family, lots of work– Big role in church, 8 children averageBig role in church, 8 children average

• No arranged marriages: dowryNo arranged marriages: dowry

• Divorce impossible; remarriage fast Divorce impossible; remarriage fast

• Family networks stayed together Family networks stayed together

ChurchChurch• Early Days: membership only for “Elect” Early Days: membership only for “Elect”

oror– ““visible Saints,” must testify proof of gracevisible Saints,” must testify proof of grace

• Church Members: vote for ministers, voteChurch Members: vote for ministers, vote– For new members, church decisionsFor new members, church decisions

• Political: only church members could vote,Political: only church members could vote,– Or hold officeOr hold office

• By 1650s membership dropped offBy 1650s membership dropped off

• Half-Way covenant: allowed baptism forHalf-Way covenant: allowed baptism for– Non “visible saints,” the vote only for full Non “visible saints,” the vote only for full

members members

Increase MatherIncrease Mather

EducationEducation

• Family taught child the BibleFamily taught child the Bible

• Very high degree of literacyVery high degree of literacy

• 1647: law for town to provide schools1647: law for town to provide schools

• Printing pressPrinting press

• 1638: Harvard College, mostly to train 1638: Harvard College, mostly to train – Ministers, very demanding curriculum. Ministers, very demanding curriculum. – Yale 1702Yale 1702

Salem Witch Trial (1691)Salem Witch Trial (1691)

• Samuel Paris: daughter, niece, slave Samuel Paris: daughter, niece, slave girlgirl

• By 1692: Increase Mather ended trial By 1692: Increase Mather ended trial

• 19 hanged and 150 in jail.19 hanged and 150 in jail.

• Why: sexual repression, patriarchy,Why: sexual repression, patriarchy,– Jelousy of prosperous neighbors? Jelousy of prosperous neighbors? – Read pages 90-94Read pages 90-94

Salem Witch Trial 1692Salem Witch Trial 1692