Colonial America Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 7 PDF Download

Introduction

Colonial America was a time when people from Europe came to live in what is now the United States, starting in the early 1600s. They built new homes, communities, and ways of life in a land that was new to them. The Thirteen Colonies were formed along the Atlantic coast, each with its own way of living, working, and governing. These colonies were divided into three regions: New England, Middle, and Southern. Life in these colonies was shaped by the land, the people, and their interactions with Native Americans. This chapter explores how the colonists lived, the colonies they built, their governments, economies, and relationships with others.

Life as a Colonist

• Colonists came from countries like England, France, and Spain to start new lives.
• Many wanted religious freedom, better jobs, or land to farm.
• Daily life was hard and involved a lot of work.
• Homes and living:
  • Colonists built simple homes, often made of wood or logs.
  • Houses had one or two rooms with fireplaces for cooking and heat.
  • Families worked together to survive, with everyone helping out.
• Work and jobs:
  • Men farmed, hunted, or worked as craftsmen like blacksmiths or carpenters.
  • Women cooked, sewed, and took care of children and the home.
  • Children helped with chores like fetching water or tending animals.
• Food and clothing:
  • Colonists grew crops like corn, wheat, and vegetables.
  • They hunted animals like deer and fished for food.
  • Clothing was homemade, often made from wool or linen.
• Community life:
  • Colonists gathered for church, town meetings, or festivals.
  • Church was a big part of life, especially in New England.
  • Neighbors helped each other build houses or harvest crops.
• Challenges:
  • Harsh winters and diseases made life difficult.
  • Colonists had to learn to survive in a new environment.
  • Conflicts with Native Americans sometimes happened over land.

Select the Thirteen Colonies

• The Thirteen Colonies were the British colonies that later became the United States.
• They were located along the eastern coast of North America.
• The colonies were:
  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Connecticut
  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Georgia

New England Colonies

Founding and Government

• Founding:
  • New England Colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
  • Massachusetts was founded in 1620 by the Pilgrims seeking religious freedom.
  • Plymouth Colony (1620) and Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630) were early settlements.
  • Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams for religious freedom.
  • Connecticut was founded in 1636 by Thomas Hooker for more democratic governance.
  • New Hampshire was settled in 1623 for fishing and trade.
• Government:
  • New England had town meetings where people voted on local issues.
  • Massachusetts had a General Court, a group of elected leaders.
  • Only church members could vote in Massachusetts early on.
  • Rhode Island and Connecticut had more open voting systems.
  • Governors were often elected by the people or chosen by the king.
  • Laws were based on English law and religious beliefs.
  • Church leaders had a strong influence on government decisions.

Economy and Interactions with Native Americans

• Economy:
  • The land was rocky, so farming was small-scale.
  • Colonists grew crops like corn, beans, and squash.
  • Fishing was a major industry, especially codfish.
  • Shipbuilding became important due to abundant timber.
  • Trade with England and other colonies was common.
  • Whaling provided oil for lamps and other uses.
  • Small businesses like blacksmithing and milling grew.
• Interactions with Native Americans:
  • Native Americans, like the Wampanoag, lived in the area first.
  • Early relations were friendly, like the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
  • Colonists learned farming and hunting from Native Americans.
  • Trade included furs, tools, and food.
  • Land disputes caused conflicts, like King Philip’s War (1675-1676).
  • Many Native Americans were pushed out or died from disease.

Middle Colonies

Founding and Government

• Founding:
  • Middle Colonies were New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
  • New York was founded in 1624 by the Dutch, taken by the British in 1664.
  • New Jersey was split from New York in 1664 as a British colony.
  • Pennsylvania was founded in 1681 by William Penn for Quakers.
  • Delaware was founded in 1638 by Swedes, later part of Pennsylvania.
• Government:
  • Middle Colonies had more diverse governments.
  • Pennsylvania had a General Assembly elected by landowners.
  • New York had a governor appointed by the king.
  • New Jersey had elected assemblies with religious freedom.
  • Delaware had its own assembly by 1704.
  • Laws supported religious tolerance and fair trade.

Economy and Society

• Economy:
  • Fertile soil made farming a major industry.
  • Crops like wheat, barley, and oats were grown, earning the name “Breadbasket Colonies.”
  • Trade included furs, timber, and grain with Europe.
  • Cities like New York and Philadelphia grew as trade centers.
  • Ironworks and small factories produced tools and goods.
• Society:
  • People from many countries lived here, like Dutch, Germans, and Irish.
  • Religious diversity included Quakers, Catholics, and Jews.
  • Towns had markets, churches, and schools.
  • Education was valued, with early schools and colleges.
  • Women had some rights, like owning property in Pennsylvania.
  • Indentured servants worked for a few years to pay for their trip to America.

Southern Colonies

Founding and Government

• Founding:
  • Southern Colonies were Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
  • Virginia was founded in 1607 at Jamestown for profit.
  • Maryland was founded in 1634 as a safe place for Catholics.
  • North Carolina was settled in 1653 by Virginia farmers.
  • South Carolina was founded in 1663 for trade and farming.
  • Georgia was founded in 1733 as a place for debtors and a buffer against Spanish Florida.
• Government:
  • Governors were often appointed by the king.
  • Virginia had the House of Burgesses, an elected assembly.
  • Maryland had a mix of elected and appointed leaders.
  • North and South Carolina had assemblies with landowner voters.
  • Georgia had strict rules under James Oglethorpe at first.
  • Laws focused on land ownership and trade.

Economy and Slavery

• Economy:
  • Large farms called plantations grew crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.
  • Warm climate and long growing season helped farming.
  • Tobacco was the main crop in Virginia and Maryland.
  • Rice and indigo were major crops in South Carolina and Georgia.
  • Trade with England included crops, furs, and lumber.
  • Ports like Charleston became busy trade centers.
• Slavery:
  • Slavery was common in the Southern Colonies due to plantation needs.
  • Enslaved Africans were forced to work on plantations.
  • Slaves had no rights and faced harsh treatment.
  • Plantation owners relied on slave labor to make profits.
  • Slavery grew over time, especially in South Carolina and Georgia.
  • Some colonists opposed slavery, but it remained a key part of the economy.