Distribution of Wealth and Life at Home

1
Distribution of Wealth and Life at Home

• pp. 132-137
• Christine Tran
• Period 4 AP USH

2
Distribution of Wealth

• Britain They prospered from the growth of
  population, settlement, development of rice,
  indigo, and grain exports, and establishment of
  labor system.
• The rewards went to planters who already was rich
  and many poor white men did not receive what was
  supposed to be earned
• SOCIAL CLASSES
• Lower Class very few there
• Middle class they had sufficient means to
  support themselves and some independence.
• Wealthy class the lived in great plantation
  houses located in the Chesapeake or
  lower South
• They used their new acquired wealth to
  improve their way of living.

3
Life at Home

• Colonial homes
• Made of split boards
• Consists of a single room that is 18 feet by 20
  feet
• Ladder that connects the lower level to the upper
  level
• Lacked masonry foundations
• The fireplace was a tool for heat and cooking
• Clean water was accessed from the river or from a
  well
• Colonial Mansions of Virginia
• Between 1720 to 1760, wealthy planters lived in
  one/two rooms house with more than one level
• They built their houses and copied the style of
  English aristocrats and middle class Englishmen
• Gardens
• Formal with straight paths
• Began appearing in North American colonies in the
  1600s.
• In the 1720s, they became a necessity for homes
• Iron Stoves- Franklin Stoves
• Smoke did not siphon down through the masonry
  duct
• Other inventors modified Franklins design

4
The Family

• 17th century there was no privacy
• 18th century separate rooms for children and
  adults
• Meal time- time to engage in discussions with one
  each other
• Change in Marriage
• 17th century marriage was negotiated by parents
• The couple had to be emotionally compatiable,
  affection was not important
• 18th century the person chooses their own spouse
  and affection was important.
• Family Life
• Family life became more private and secluded from
  others
• Womens roles included indoor activities and was
  a great importance in the home.