Values of Colonial Society

Definition

Values of Colonial Society refer to the cultural, social, and moral principles that shaped life in the American colonies from the 17th to the 18th centuries. These values included a strong emphasis on family, religious devotion, work ethic, individualism, and social hierarchies, which played a significant role in community life and identity during this formative period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Family was central to colonial life; households were often large and included extended family members, creating a network of support and social structure.
2. Religion played a key role, particularly in Puritan communities where moral conduct was dictated by strict religious beliefs, impacting laws and community standards.
3. Work ethic was highly valued; colonists believed that hard work was a virtue and essential for personal success and communal prosperity.
4. Social hierarchies developed based on wealth, land ownership, and profession, leading to distinct class divisions that influenced relationships within society.
5. Individualism began to emerge as colonists sought personal rights and liberties, which would later fuel revolutionary sentiments against British rule.

Review Questions

• How did the values of colonial society influence community structures and relationships among settlers?
  • The values of colonial society greatly influenced community structures by emphasizing family connections and social hierarchies. Extended families formed the backbone of colonial communities, fostering a support network that reinforced societal norms. Religious beliefs often dictated community governance, leading to close-knit groups where collective morality guided daily life. These values created strong ties among settlers but also established clear divisions based on social status and wealth.
• Analyze how the value placed on individualism in colonial society set the stage for future movements toward independence.
  • The value placed on individualism in colonial society encouraged colonists to prioritize personal rights and freedoms over strict adherence to traditional authority. As people began to assert their independence in various aspects of life—economically through trade and politically through self-governance—this growing sense of individualism challenged British control. The belief that one could pursue happiness and success fueled revolutionary sentiments as colonists sought to break away from perceived oppressive rule.
• Evaluate the impact of religious values on social order and law in colonial society, particularly in relation to Puritan communities.
  • Religious values had a profound impact on social order and law in colonial society, especially within Puritan communities where strict adherence to their interpretation of Christianity governed daily life. Laws were often reflective of religious beliefs, enforcing moral conduct that aligned with Puritan principles. This blend of church and state created a unique social order where community members were held accountable not only for civil behavior but also for spiritual adherence. The intertwining of religion with governance laid foundations for future debates about the separation of church and state in America.

Related terms

Puritanism:

A religious reform movement that emerged within the Church of England, advocating for a more rigorous and pious Christian life, significantly influencing colonial New England's values.

Salutary Neglect:

An unofficial British policy during the early 18th century that allowed the American colonies considerable freedom in economic and political affairs, fostering a sense of independence and self-governance.

Mercantilism:

An economic theory prevalent in the colonial period, emphasizing the importance of accumulating wealth through trade and maintaining a favorable balance of exports over imports, shaping colonial economic policies.