we the people , lesson #1 what were the british colonies in america like in the 1770’s?

REVIEW QUESTIONS, P. 12?

We the People, Lesson #1What were the British Colonies in America like in the 1770’s?

1. Life was different in colonies vs. Europe

13 Colonies Europe

90% were farmers; problems with access to land;

were self-sufficient: people took care of their own needs

not as healthy=shorter lives

more food=better health=longer lives

more individuals could read/write

not able to get ahead

not as educated

2. Diversity of people & ideas in the colonies

• most colonists were British; others from European countries

• mixture cultures & beliefs—PROTESTANTS, Catholics & Jews

• Indian tribes

• slaves in all colonies

3. Did gender, race, and wealth make a difference?

13 Colonies England

No kings, no noblemen;All men could own land

Feudal system-land owned by king & controlled by rich noblemen

Poor men could work to get ahead

poor stayed poor, rich stayed rich

Women, non-white males, poor white men: none were able to vote

4. Rights that colonists valued

• trial by jury

• voting for representatives in gov.

• Life, liberty, property

• freedom of religion (problems here)

5. The “Founders”

• Men who were political leaders in colonies/states

• conducted American Revolution

• wrote the Declaration of Independence & later the U.S. Constitution