Life in the Northern Life in the Northern ColoniesColonies

The New England The New England

and Middle Coloniesand Middle Colonies

New England Spreads Out

New England Spreads Out

New England Colonies, 1679

New England Colonies, 1679

The EconomyThe Economy

Several cash crops per farm (NJ, PA, NY)Several cash crops per farm (NJ, PA, NY) Wheat, corn, cattle, hogsWheat, corn, cattle, hogs Surplus food went to West IndiesSurplus food went to West Indies

Commercial Industries (All colonies)Commercial Industries (All colonies) Wheat grindingWheat grinding Harvesting FishHarvesting Fish Sawing LumberSawing Lumber Ship ManufacturingShip Manufacturing

Many MerchantsMany Merchants

Urban Life StyleUrban Life Style

Trade caused Port Cities to Trade caused Port Cities to GrowGrow

Ie. NY, Boston, PhiladelphiaIe. NY, Boston, Philadelphia

Sophistication: paved streets, Sophistication: paved streets, police patrols, whale-oiled police patrols, whale-oiled lamps on sidewalkslamps on sidewalks

Overcrowding did cause Overcrowding did cause problemsproblems

Firewood/clean water scarceFirewood/clean water scarce Disease/fire spread rapidlyDisease/fire spread rapidly PovertyPoverty

Diversity of the NorthDiversity of the North

Pre-1700 – immigrants were indentured servants Pre-1700 – immigrants were indentured servants from Englandfrom England

1818thth century – 585,000 immigrants century – 585,000 immigrants 1/3 from other countries1/3 from other countries Scotts, English, Dutch, Germans, IrishScotts, English, Dutch, Germans, Irish Variety of ReligionsVariety of Religions

Reasons for coming:Reasons for coming: Escape economic devastationEscape economic devastation Religious freedomReligious freedom

Problems with English Problems with English and “The Others”and “The Others”

Different groups did not always get alongDifferent groups did not always get along

Why should the [Germans] be suffered to swarm Why should the [Germans] be suffered to swarm into our Settlements, and by herding together into our Settlements, and by herding together establish their Language and Manners to the establish their Language and Manners to the Exclusion of ours? Why should Pennsylvania, Exclusion of ours? Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of Anglifying them?Germanize us instead of Anglifying them?

Suspicion of each other occurred on both ends.Suspicion of each other occurred on both ends.

Slavery in the NorthSlavery in the North

No need for as many slaves – why?No need for as many slaves – why? Less labor in wheat than tobacco/riceLess labor in wheat than tobacco/rice

Considered property, but had more legal Considered property, but had more legal standingstanding Could sue, right to appeal in court, could testify Could sue, right to appeal in court, could testify

against whites in cases not involving Africans.against whites in cases not involving Africans.

Hard lives, considered less human, no gathering, Hard lives, considered less human, no gathering, no weapons, no protection from cruelty.no weapons, no protection from cruelty.

Life in the NorthLife in the North

Family Stability – grandparents too!Family Stability – grandparents too!

Population grew initially from reproductionPopulation grew initially from reproduction

Booming birthrateBooming birthrate

Avg. life expectancy was 70Avg. life expectancy was 70

PatriarchyPatriarchy

Authoritarian male father figures controlled each household.

Patriarchal ministers and magistrates controlled church congregations and household patriarchs.

Women in the NorthWomen in the North

Extensive Work ResponsibilitiesExtensive Work ResponsibilitiesWeaving clothes, sewing, gardening, tending livestock, baking, Weaving clothes, sewing, gardening, tending livestock, baking, make candlesmake candles

Few Legal RightsFew Legal RightsNo voteNo voteNo entering into contractsNo entering into contractsNo buying/selling propertyNo buying/selling propertyNo keeping wagesNo keeping wagesOnly single women could run businessOnly single women could run business

Religion was used to keep women subordinate to Religion was used to keep women subordinate to husbands and men.husbands and men.

Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials

Cause: Cause: limitations on womenlimitations on women tensions from uneven economic growthtensions from uneven economic growth strained relations with Nativesstrained relations with Natives misdirected religious zeal.misdirected religious zeal.

Constant occupation with violence and Constant occupation with violence and death b/c feared Native attacksdeath b/c feared Native attacks

The Beginning The Beginning of the Salem Witch Trialsof the Salem Witch Trials

Girls accused Tituba, African slave, of Girls accused Tituba, African slave, of practice witchcraftpractice witchcraft

Received attention for this, so accused Received attention for this, so accused others as wellothers as well

Those accused tried to save themselves Those accused tried to save themselves by accusing others as witchesby accusing others as witches

Patterns of those AccusedPatterns of those Accused

1.1. EconomicEconomicSalem undergone economic growth left Salem undergone economic growth left some very wealthy and some poorsome very wealthy and some poor

Poor accused the wealthier areaPoor accused the wealthier area

2.2. WomenWomenWomen who were too independentWomen who were too independent

Violated puritan standards of behaviorViolated puritan standards of behavior

ResultResult

Ended when girls accused the governor’s wifeEnded when girls accused the governor’s wife

Courts realized evidence was falseCourts realized evidence was false

The Accused:The Accused: 19 people hanged19 people hanged 1 person crushed to death1 person crushed to death 4 “witches” died in jail4 “witches” died in jail 150 others spent time in jail.150 others spent time in jail.