What Systems Developed in the
Colonies?Unit 4, Lesson 5
AGENDA
•Vocabulary
•Free Market Economy
•Child’s life
•Apprentices
•Slaves
artisan
• (noun) a skilled worker who makes thing by hand
apprentice• (noun) a person who learns
a skill or trade from an experienced worker
journeyman• (noun) a trained worker
who is employed by someone else
town common• (noun) an open space in the
center of a town where cattle and sheep could graze
free-market economy• (noun) a system in which
prices are not controlled by the government
Free-Market EconomyThe colonies are a
free-market system. This means that the king had little to no
control over the economy in the
colonies (at first).
Free-Market Economy*Each colony has its own government and they make everyday decisions*Conflicts between the English and colonists don’t begin until later when the English begin trying to control the finances of the colonists (taxes, trade,fees, etc.)
Children
*1 in 10 children die at birth
*1 in 4 children won’t make it past their 21st birthday (war,
disease, accidents)
*Families were large, often with 6-10 children
A Child’s DayChildren ages 2-7 are expected to work around the house doing chores, learning farming techniques (boys), or homemaker skills like knitting, weaving, sewing (girls).
They are also expected to go to school at the same time.
A Child’s Day
Children would often be left alone for long periods of time while their parents were away working. They would do their chores, play, or hunt.
A Child’s Day
Children had to have strong legs... they often stood to eat and stood for hours at a time at church.
ApprenticesChildren would go to school until the age of around 7. Then, they
worked on the family farm or became an apprentice, learning a
trade and working for free. *Room, clothing, and food paid for
*At 21 you could work as a journeyman or try to start your own business
Apprentices
Indentured-ServantsA person that could not pay
for their trip to America would have his or her voyage paid for
and then be indentured to a
family or master for
several years.
SlavesSlavery Begins:
The growth of the tobacco industry creates the need
for slave labor*Plantations system begins (crops such as rice, indigo, and cotton required cheap labor also)*Were often taught a trade, but never had the opportunity to run their own business
In 1640 there are less than 200
slaves in Virginia, but by 1700 there
are more than 28,000 slaves in
Virginia.
Slaves
In 1640 there are less than 200
slaves in Virginia, but by 1700 there
are more than 28,000 slaves in
Virginia.