A Picture Of Colonial Life Essay, Research Paper
When the Puritans and Pilgrims were coming
to America, they had expected many new opportunities and freedom.
They got both–along with loneliness, vulnerability, and ignorance.
Now in the new land, they knew very little, except that of their old lives.
They had to learn to live new lives, to hunt new and strange game, and
experience the feeling of no one being there to help during during difficult
times.
Sure, they had each other, but when they
came up on the shores of this wonderfully new land there was no one there
to welcome them with open arms, or nice warm shelter. They knew no
one in this new place, and knew nothing of the land. They were almost
clueless, that is, until they met the Indians. The Indians were thought
of as uncivilized, barbaric beings, but much to the immigrants’ surprise,
they were mostly wrong. There was a fair share of unfriendly indians,
but the amiable indians helped inform these new travelers. They helped
with medical treatment when someone would get an injury from a strange
animal or plant of the new world. The indians also shared their knowledge
of growing crops and tips for hunting game, which made life a lot easier
for families.
On the homefront, the whole family was
expected to help. The men took care of the more laborious jobs.
They went out hunting and fishing to catch game, and worked to keep the
house sturdy and safe. The women did many in-house chores.
They did all the cooking for the household, and had to prepare the food
to be cooked, like plucking chickens. They also made most of the
clothes for the family and mended them when needed. The older children
were made to do several chores, such as helping mother with dinner, or
father gathering fire wood. The younger children played most of the
day. Then, come Sunday, the whole family gathered together to attend
church services.
Religion was the basis of their government.
When a person did wrong, they were punished by the laws of God. This
form of government also ran with superstitions taking high status.
One example is the Salem Witch Trials. Religion also played a big
part in the education of the new world. If it weren’t for people
wanting freedom of religion, America wouldn’t be the great country that
it is now. It was believed that “you could only understand Gods ways
by reading the bible,” and so, many people learned how to read so they
could be holy and one with God. From this eduation sprung poetry
writing, which was mostly about everyday life, and religion.
However, to get this poetry published,
it had to be taken to England. This took a very long time because
they had to travel by ship back and forth, and it took a really long time.
The only means of travel in the new land were by foot, or horseback.
Back then, to get from Boston to New York it took five months, but now
it only takes about five hours.
Things sure have come a long way from the
old colonial ways, but if it weren’t for those people seeking freedom and
adventure, then we and a lot of other things would not be here today.