United States History Student Edition

Colonial Governments Many English colonists came to North America because they wanted to be free to live, work, and worship as they pleased. Although colonists disagreed with each other on some issues, they agreed that their government must respect civil liberties, or the rights belonging to all citizens. American colonists took the first steps toward creating their own system of government when they were unable to get the British government to settle disputes or answer questions. The king and Parliament were not interested in local issues of importance to the colonists, and communicating back and forth across the Atlantic was too slow. Colonists began discussing local issues at town meetings, which evolved into local governments. As early colonists participated in local government, they developed a strong belief in their right to govern themselves. 7 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Making Connections How did life in the colonies encourage belief in self-government? Colonial Society GUIDING QUESTION What was daily life like for early American colonists? The first American colonists built their homes clustered close together in small villages. As more settlers arrived from Europe, village communities grew into towns. Children were born, schools and stores were built, and people set up local governments. As old traditions blended with the colonial way of life, a new American culture and society began to develop. Family and Education Family life was the foundation of colonial society. Family members had close relationships and depended on one another for survival. Most families had to provide their own food, shelter, and clothing, so everyone shared in the work. Women and girls did the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare. Men and boys planted crops, tended to livestock, and built homes and barns. During harvest time, the entire family worked together in the fields cutting hay or picking crops. Families who lived in towns ran home-based businesses or worked at trades. evolve to develop over time

Colonial town meetings helped lead American colonists toward a belief in strong self-government.

The earliest English settlers lived in simple one- or two-room homes. Every house had a large fireplace. The area near the fireplace, called the hearth, was where family and friends gathered to cook, eat, and socialize. Gathering wood and keeping the fire burning were important tasks. The daily work of survival left the colonists little free time. When they finished their chores, children invented games and made their own toys. Holidays were fun, lively gatherings where friends and neighbors shared special foods, sang songs, and danced to fiddle music. The Great Awakening and Ideas of Freedom Religion had a strong influence on the colonists’ values, beliefs, and everyday life. Attending church services and studying the Christian Bible were important elements of colonial culture. Church services were solemn events with sermons that sometimes went on for hours. Then, in the 1730s and 1740s, a religious revival called the Great Awakening swept through the colonies. Young, enthusiastic ministers called for “a new birth,” a return to the strong faith of earlier days. Colonists were fascinated by these zealous preachers and their powerful, exciting sermons. Preachers such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield inspired huge crowds of worshippers in churches and open fields.

North Wind Picture Archives/Alamy Stock Photo

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The English Colonies Are Settled and Grow