Colonial American Life During The 17th And 18th Century
During the 17th and 18th century, colonial American life was not easy and there were hardships for both women and men to overcome. The New England, Middle, and Southern colonies made up the original 13 colonies and each one had a different view on school, religion, family, and business. However, colonial lifestyles, the start of the education system, and who went to school were much different for all (children, women, and men).
Life in colonial times were much harder than what most Europeans thought when coming to the new world. Many settlers were hopeful to escape poverty, persecution and to gain religious freedom. The hardships that settlers encountered were bitter winters, rugged terrain, Indians, and not knowing how to hunt or plant …show more content…
The New England colonies were based on religious principles, prayer, and learning scriptures and the main purpose of learning to read was to learn and read the Bible. In fact, the Puritans believed that illiteracy was the work of Satan to prevent people from being able to read the Bible. Accordingly, Massachusetts Bay passed a law in 1647 called the Deluder Satan Act. It required that all New England villages of 50 families or more hire a teacher for reading and writing. Towns that grew to 100 families were also required to set up a Latin grammar school to prepare young men for college. The teacher's salary was to be paid by the parents of the children who attended the school (Colonial America …show more content…
In the south, plantations were miles apart so community schools did not exist. However, governesses taught girls from wealthier families enough reading, writing, and math so one day they can run their own household. Most young boys from wealthier families were taught by tutors and were sent to England to finish their education. While some came back to help their families run the family plantations, others stayed in England to attend medical or law school. Lower class girls and boys received the minimal education, but did learn skills that lasted for three to ten years through apprenticeships (Colonial America
Life in colonial times were much harder than what most Europeans thought when coming to the new world. Many settlers were hopeful to escape poverty, persecution and to gain religious freedom. The hardships that settlers encountered were bitter winters, rugged terrain, Indians, and not knowing how to hunt or plant …show more content…
The New England colonies were based on religious principles, prayer, and learning scriptures and the main purpose of learning to read was to learn and read the Bible. In fact, the Puritans believed that illiteracy was the work of Satan to prevent people from being able to read the Bible. Accordingly, Massachusetts Bay passed a law in 1647 called the Deluder Satan Act. It required that all New England villages of 50 families or more hire a teacher for reading and writing. Towns that grew to 100 families were also required to set up a Latin grammar school to prepare young men for college. The teacher's salary was to be paid by the parents of the children who attended the school (Colonial America …show more content…
In the south, plantations were miles apart so community schools did not exist. However, governesses taught girls from wealthier families enough reading, writing, and math so one day they can run their own household. Most young boys from wealthier families were taught by tutors and were sent to England to finish their education. While some came back to help their families run the family plantations, others stayed in England to attend medical or law school. Lower class girls and boys received the minimal education, but did learn skills that lasted for three to ten years through apprenticeships (Colonial America