Life in the Thirteen Colonies

Life in the Thirteen Colonies

• Colonists came from various European countries, including England, France, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland, to pursue better lives.
• They identified as British and were governed by King George III.
• Colonists enjoyed British customs like drinking tea and reading British books.
• King George III imposed taxes on the colonies to cover war debts, sparking protests among colonists.
• Africans were enslaved and forced to work on plantations without any rights.
• Notable figures like Phillis Wheatley, a poet, and Anne Hutchinson, who openly discussed her faith despite societal restrictions, exemplified resilience and courage.
• The period marked the emergence of advocacy for essential freedoms like free speech.

Key Terms

• Colony: A settlement established in a foreign territory by people from another country, with the new land claimed for their home country.
• Tea: A beverage made by steeping tea plant leaves in hot water.
• Monarchy: A form of government where a king or queen holds supreme power.
• Expensive: Something that costs a significant amount of money.
• Parliament: The legislative body in Britain responsible for making laws.
• Enslaved: Forced to work for someone else without compensation or freedom to leave.
• Plantations: Large farms cultivating crops on a grand scale, often utilizing enslaved labor.
• Poet: An individual who creates poetry.
• Religious Leaders: Individuals who guide and lead others in their faith or religion.
• Free Speech: The right or freedom to express oneself without fear of government punishment.

Life in the Thirteen Colonies

• Colonists came from various European countries, including England, France, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland, seeking better lives.
• They enjoyed British goods and culture, like tea and literature.
• The King of England taxed the colonies to pay war debts, leading to protests.
• Phillis Wheatley was a remarkable poet.
• A colony is a group of people from one country who establish a settlement in another territory.
• The colonizing country maintains some control over the colony.
• Tea is a beverage made by steeping dried tea leaves in hot water.
• A monarchy is a form of government ruled by a king or queen.
• Parliament was the governing body in Britain responsible for making laws.
• Enslaved people were forced to work without pay and lacked freedom.
• Plantations were large farms that often used enslaved labor to cultivate crops.

Key People and Concepts

• A poet is someone who writes poetry.
• Religious leaders guide and lead others in their faith.
• Free speech refers to the right to express your thoughts without government censorship.