Throughout the 17th century, colonists departed from Europe and established settlements/colonies in the “New World” (presently known as the United States of America). For numerous reasons, colonists departed to the “New World”, having desired religious freedom, economic opportunities, political liberty, etc. These individuals settled into 13 colonies, locations that are presently known as the states of America, including; New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Georgia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Unfortunately, the colonists faced various challenges in the New World, experiencing continuous onslaughts from Native Americans and being conditioned to sickness and diseases, including smallpox, malaria, dysentery, yellow fever, diphtheria, scarlet fever, influenza, pleurisy, colds, whooping cough, mumps, measles, typhus, typhoid fever, hookworms, puerperal fever (associated with childbirth), syphilis (the “French pox”), and other venereal diseases. Additionally, the colonists were affected intensively by starvation and limited independence, although the colonists departed from Europe. Nevertheless, the colonists persevered through the challenges of the “New World” (presently known as the United States of America) despite their (unfamiliar) circumstances, having found contentment despite the challenges.
General information about the thirteen colonies
Traditionally, the Thirteen Colonies were categorized as New England Colonies (New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut); the Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware); and the Southern Colonies (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia).
Colonists of New England encountered several (unexpected) challenges, including extensive, frigid Winters that unfortunately caused illnesses and diseases. In preparation for New England’s devastating Winters, the inhabitants of New England cultivated/farmed small plots of land and worked to store enough food for Winter. Additionally, New England Colonies' geographical features included; coastal plains, rolling inland hills, and large forested areas, with the Frontier on the western periphery. Thus, the New England colonies depended on extensive fishing, whaling, lumbering, shipbuilding (for the purpose of trade and naval usage), and subsistence farming.
Colonists in the Middle colonies was successful economically, however the Middle Colonies’ inhabitants (colonists) encountered several challenges (which were similar to what those living in the New England Colonies faced) due to the colonies’ diverse cultures and severely strained relationships with Native Americans (as disputes over land ownership and competing interests lead to the massacre of both Native Americans and colonists). Nonetheless, colonists successfully enhanced their economy by farming, milling, lumbering, shipbuilding, and production (exporting their resources to Europe and other colonies for profit). Furthermore, the Middle Colonies developed several industries related to their forest resources.
Unfortunately, throughout the Southern Colonies colonists weren’t usually economically successful, frankly the majority of colonists in the Southern Colonies lived in poverty. Moreover, because of the climate, diseases constantly spread through the Europeans quickly, especially malaria. Nonetheless, the Southern colonies developed prosperous economies as the cultivation of cash-crops, such as tobacco, indigo, and rice was immensely profitable. Benefiting from the geography of the Middle colonies which featured a warmer climate with fertile soil, flat land, easily-navigable rivers, and wide valleys which made the Middle Colonies perfect for farming and cultivating cash-crops and livestock.
Colonial life
In comparison to life on the farm, colonial cities were ‘exciting’ places. Ships brought news from England as well as eagerly awaited items such as paint, carpets, furniture, and books. And typically throughout colonial cities, marketplaces bustled with fishers selling their catch and farmers selling fresh eggs, milk, and cheese. Additionally, people gathered in taverns to exchange gossip and news from other colonies.
Colonial cities contained numerous occupations, including; shoemakers, clockmakers, silversmiths, tailors, and craftspeople. Furthermore, there were barbers who would cut colonists’ hair and wig-makers (someone who creates and sells wigs). Moreover, the cities in the “New World” (presently known as the United States of America) were extremely chaotic and disgusting places–church bells rang consistently several times a day–carts clattered loudly over streets paved with round cobblestones. Additionally, the air was polluted (filled with the stench of robbing garbage and open sewers) and animals were roaming the streets.
Colonial city homes were clustered together on winding streets. Assembled with wood and designed to have thatched roofs, parallel to the houses in Europe. In addition to thatched roofs, the windows of colonial houses were little as during the Colonial era, glass was quite costly. For lighting, colonists used torches made of pine that burned brightly when they were wedged between hearthstones in the fireplace. Moreover, colonists burned grease in metal containers called “betty lamps” and made candles scented with bayberries.
The roles of colonial women
Women in Colonial America were generally restricted by inflexible gender-roles and limited political rights. Nonetheless, women in Colonial America supported the economical and social-fabric of their communities exponentially, regardless of their limitations. As colonial women handled domestic responsibilities including cooking, cleaning, sewing, and preserving foods which were crucial for daily survival, especially in pastoral regions where self-sufficiency was of extreme importance. Additionally, colonial women created essential household products (such as candles, soap, and clothes) and managed the children (women usually birthed numerous children because of high-infant mortality rates and need of labor on farms). Moreover, on the frontier and in pastoral colonies, colonial women worked alongside men to plant, harvest, and cultivate livestock, making them active-participants financially.
Nevertheless, education for women in the “New World” (presently known as the United States of America) was severely limited, as most women were taught subjects related to domestic labor rather than academic subjects. Although in wealthier families, women were possibly taught basic literacy skills and religious instructions, however it rarely extended from there. Similarly, schooling wasn’t widely available to girls, as society considered it unnecessary for their primary roles as wives and mothers. Colonial women weren’t formally educated (as it was considered irrelevant to their lives), thus causing womens’ intellectual and career opportunities to be severely restricted, with little outlets for those who sought to engage in public life or advanced learning.
In spite of the challenges, colonial women endured, they were integral to the survival and development of colonial communities. As their roles in managing households, raising children, and contributing to the economy was essential, although their responsibilities were typically undervalued or overlooked. Fortunately, despite their restrictions, women discovered ways to exert influence within their communities, whether through religion, as midwives, or as educators of children.
Overall, these contributions supported the groundwork for future generations of women to advocate for greater rights and independence and the development of American society.