The New England Way of Life Chapter 6.1

The Land and Climate

• Land was covered by forests.

• Soil was rocky and not very fertile.

• The harsh climate offered a short growing season.

New England’s Economic Activities

• Most settlers were subsistence farmers.– Small farmers grew

enough food for their own needs.

• Sometimes they grew surpluses– Or extra food which

could be traded for goods.

New England’s Economic Activities

• Shipbuilding– Settlers used the

forests making ships.– Wood was brought

from the country to Boston and Portsmouth where the ships were built.

New England’s Economic Activities

• Fishing and Whaling– Fish were abundant

along the New England coast

– Fisherman sometimes worked around the clock in freezing temperatures

– Whaling produced ivory and oil for lamps

New England Towns

• People lived in towns working the fields around the towns.– The meeting house

was the the center of town

• town meetings• church services.

– Stocks were used for people who had been found guilty of crimes.

New England Towns

• Church Services– Religion was very

important to the Puritans.– The church made laws

about behavior, clothing, and education.

– Attending church services was mandatory.

• Town Meetings– Citizens would meet to

discuss issues that affected the town.

At Home With the Family

• The home usually centered around the fireplace – Cold climate in New England.– Light– Cooking

A Busy Life for Women

• Women worked equally as hard as men to provide for the family!!– They helped clear land, plated and harvested

crops, prepared food, managed animals, made candles, and made clothes.