Chart - Colonial People - USI 5c

Put the letter of each of the following descriptions in the box of the group it describes.

A. lived in small villages and cities K. had no money for passage to the colonies

B. were caretakers and homemakers L. were captured in Africa

C . lived predominantly in the South M. were educated

D. were freed at the end of their contract N. owned as property for life with no rights

E . were sold into bondage O. relied on family members for labor

F. had a rich social culture P. their children were owned as property too

G. worked the land as the region’s geography allowed

H. worked as craftsmen in towns and on plantations

I. relied on indentured servants and slaves for labor

J. agreed to work without pay for person who paid their passage to America

LARGE LANDOWNERS FARMERS

ARTISANS WOMEN

INDENTURED SERVANTS SLAVES

One of the wealthiest social positions in colonial America was held by large landowners called planters. These powerful men lived predominantly in the southern colonies and were usually well educated. They owned huge farms called plantations. These impressive places were filled with barns, stables, gardens, wells, workshops, kitchens, mills, and slave quarters. A planter’s home was just as impressive as the property around it. Its many bedrooms, dining rooms, drawing rooms and offices were usually filled with delicate china, elaborate furniture, expensive paintings, busy servants and wealthy visitors. To keep these farms running smoothly, planters needed huge numbers of low cost laborers to work in fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. The cheapest labor came in the form of indentured servants and slaves.

Farmers held another social position in colonial America. These men, though not wealthy like the planters, were often respected members of the community. They farmed the land of their region and often depended on family members for labor. Some even owned a few slaves. The poorer farmers were often indentured servants who had completed their contracts and had just enough money saved to buy a small piece of land. Most people living in the colonies were farmers. Their main goal was to provide food for their families. When they were lucky enough to have a productive growing season, they were able to sell their crops to make a small profit. Farmers in the North usually struggled because of the thin, rocky soil. Farmers in the South had to compete to find land that wasn’t already controlled by the large landowners.

Artisans were another social class in colonial America. These craftsmen included silversmiths, carpenters, masons, shipwrights, coopers, bakers, butchers, blacksmiths, tailors, and shoemakers. Artisans often lived above their shops, which were located in villages, towns, cities, and even plantations. Although not as wealthy as the large landowners, these men held respectable positions in colonial society. In order to become an artisan, young men would first work as an apprentice, somebody being trained by a skilled professional. After many years of learning and watching, an apprentice would become a master artisan!

Another social class included women. In colonial America a woman’s main roles were homemaker and caretaker. Her days were filled with difficult and exhausting work such as cooking, cleaning, laundering, making clothing and household goods like soap, caring for children, doctoring the sick, and tending livestock and kitchen gardens. Few women worked outside the home, but those that did were employed as houseworkers or seamstresses who sewed clothing for others. Wealthy women and the wives of large landowners were also responsible for the same household chores but often had servants to help them. Colonial women, whether rich or poor, had few privileges. They were often not given the opportunity to go to school and were not allowed to vote.

Another social class was the free African Americans. This group was mainly in the north, which eventually led to the tensions of the Civil War. This group was able to own land, had more economic freedom and could work for pay and decide how to spend their money. Some decided to work as artisans, sailors, and laborers. The only downside was that they were not allowed to vote. Some free African Americans were former slaves or indentured servants who were now free for a variety of reasons. Although they had more freedom than some other colonial groups, free African Americans still faced persecution because of their skin color.

A less respected social class in colonial America consisted of indentured servants. Indentured servants were usually young men and women in their teens and early twenties who wanted to go to the colonies. Not having enough money to buy passage on a ship, they were allowed to borrow the money and sign a contract. These contracts of indenture stated that a young man or woman would work without pay for the person who paid for their passage. They often worked as laborers, field hands, craftsmen, and housekeepers. At the end of their contract period they were often given some money called “freedom dues” along with their freedom.

The least respected social class was the enslaved African Americans. These men and women were captured and sold to slave traders. They were then shipped from Africa to the colonies. Between 1700 and 1800 more then ten million Africans were dragged to North and South America on the Atlantic route nicknamed “the Middle Passage.” Once in America, they were sold into slavery at auctions. At these auctions, enslaved African Americans were treated more like animals than humans. Unlike indentured servants, slaves were owned for life. They were considered the property of their owner, or master, and were given no rights or opportunities for an education. In addition, children born to enslaved African Americans were born into slavery as well. Many slave families were torn apart when a family member was sold to another large landowner.