Life in the New England Colonies
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Transcript of Life in the New England Colonies
The New England Way of Life Chapter 6.1
The Land and Climate
• Land was covered by forests.
• Soil was rocky and not very fertile.
• The harsh climate offered a short growing season.
New England’s Economic Activities
• Most settlers were subsistence farmers.– Small farmers grew
enough food for their own needs.
• Sometimes they grew surpluses– Or extra food which
could be traded for goods.
New England’s Economic Activities
• Shipbuilding– Settlers used the
forests making ships.– Wood was brought
from the country to Boston and Portsmouth where the ships were built.
New England’s Economic Activities
• Fishing and Whaling– Fish were abundant
along the New England coast
– Fisherman sometimes worked around the clock in freezing temperatures
– Whaling produced ivory and oil for lamps
New England Towns
• People lived in towns working the fields around the towns.– The meeting house
was the the center of town
• town meetings• church services.
– Stocks were used for people who had been found guilty of crimes.
New England Towns
• Church Services– Religion was very
important to the Puritans.– The church made laws
about behavior, clothing, and education.
– Attending church services was mandatory.
• Town Meetings– Citizens would meet to
discuss issues that affected the town.
At Home With the Family
• The home usually centered around the fireplace – Cold climate in New England.– Light– Cooking
A Busy Life for Women
• Women worked equally as hard as men to provide for the family!!– They helped clear land, plated and harvested
crops, prepared food, managed animals, made candles, and made clothes.