Social Class
What were the three main social classes in colonial America?
Upper, middle, and lower classes.
What were the three groups of people that typically made up the upper class in colonial New England?
Merchants, traders, and clergy.
What were some common occupations of middle-class colonists?
Small farmers, shopkeepers, ship captains, and tradesmen.
What was the primary work of subsistence farmers in the lower class?
Farming enough to feed their families, with little surplus for sale.
What was the main difference between indentured servants and slaves?
Indentured servants worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America, while slaves were considered property for life.
What was the key factor determining a person’s social class in colonial America?
Wealth and land ownership.
What was a major characteristic of the upper class in colonial society?
They enjoyed more comforts and luxuries, such as imported goods and better education for their children.
How did the abundance of land in colonial America help people join the middle class?
Land was available to almost everyone, and farming could provide for a family, allowing people to move up the social ladder.
What was a key factor that prevented people in the lower class from moving up the social ladder?
They often had no land or other valuable resources to help them gain wealth.
What rights, if any, did indentured servants have during their service?
They could not marry without their master’s consent and were bound to serve for a set number of years.
True or False: In colonial society, people rarely changed their social class
False. People who worked hard could often move up the social ladder.
How did upper-class families in the South typically gain and maintain their wealth?
Through large plantations and land ownership.
What were the main differences between the middle class and the upper class in colonial society?
The middle class had fewer luxuries, no servants, and received less formal education.
True or False: Some indentured servants could move up to the middle class after completing their service.
True.
What were "freedom dues," and what did they usually include?
Freedom dues were given to indentured servants after completing their service, often including a suit, tools, and sometimes land.
How did social class affect a person’s rights and opportunities in colonial America?
It determined their occupation, education, voting rights, and even where they sat in church.
What role did the upper class see themselves playing in colonial society?
They saw themselves as protectors of European culture and customs.
True or False: Middle-class colonists could afford imported goods from Europe.
False. Most middle-class families did not have the wealth to afford imported luxuries.
What was life like for unskilled laborers in the lower class?
They had few material possessions, limited opportunities, and often worked long hours with little reward.
What hardships did slaves face in colonial society?
Slaves had no freedom, could be bought and sold, were separated from families, and had no legal rights.
Which social class did most colonists belong to?
The middle class.
How did upper-class sons usually receive their education?
They were often educated by private tutors or sent to Europe for schooling.
How did many middle-class colonists improve their social standing over time?
Through hard work, farming, and owning property.
How did the lower class contribute to the economy of the colonies?
They provided essential labor for farming, construction, and various trades.
What were the long-term impacts of slavery on American society?
Slavery created deep racial divides, systemic inequality, and led to the eventual conflict over civil rights.