Who Built America Chapter Three

Family Labor and the Growth of the Northern Colonies (1640-1760)

1. Introduction to Early New England

The northern colonies developed a unique society centered around family labor, contrasting sharply with the plantation economies of the Chesapeake region. Unlike the southern colonies, where profit-driven plantation systems dominated, early migrants to New England aimed to establish stable, self-sufficient communities where families played a critical role in economic activity. The majority of New England settlers were free men and women seeking decent livelihoods rather than wealth through exploitation. This early emphasis on community and family structure laid the groundwork for future economic and social frameworks.

2. Key Economic Characteristics

2.1 Family Labor

Family labor was crucial in establishing economic foundations for both New England and the Middle Colonies (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania). Early settler families engaged in a variety of trades, including farming, shoemaking, blacksmithing, and weaving. This diversified economy highlighted the importance of family members who contributed time and skills to achieve economic sustainability. The interconnected roles of family members extended beyond mere labor; they created social bonds and networks critical for survival and community resilience.

2.2 Absence of Plantations

Unlike the southern regions with plantations focused on cash crops like tobacco and rice, the northern colonies thrived on small to medium-sized family farms that supported a more localized economy. Landownership often came with individual rights, promoting a sense of independence and stability among these families. This unique economic model allowed for greater social mobility among free settlers, fostering a more egalitarian society, at least in theory, compared to the rigid class structures of plantation societies.

3. Social Composition

3.1 Demographics

The population of the northern colonies consisted largely of immigrants from the British Isles, and growing numbers from other parts of Europe, including significant populations of Dutch, Huguenots, and Protestant Germans. These diverse groups contributed to a melting pot of ideas and traditions, with Puritanism in New England and Quaker ideals in Pennsylvania shaping societal structures. These religious movements sought to create communities aligned with their spiritual beliefs, resulting in a focus on moral living and communal support, which influenced education and governance.

3.2 Class Structure

Despite a prevalent ideal of equality, social stratification was evident. Wealthy individuals in cities like New York established large estates, whereas most families operated small farms or worked as artisans and tradespeople. There existed a notable class of merchants and entrepreneurs in port towns, who found opportunities in commerce and shipping, contributing to the local economies despite their agricultural roots. This economic diversity led to varying degrees of wealth and social status, creating tension among different socio-economic groups.

4. Labor and Unfree Individuals

4.1 Indentured Servitude and Slavery

Indentured servants constituted a significant portion of the workforce, often signing contracts that obligated them to work for several years in exchange for passage to America or the promise of land and tools. Although slavery was not as widespread as in the southern colonies, it did exist in the north, with cities like New York having substantial numbers of enslaved individuals who worked primarily in domestic roles. Slaves faced harsh conditions, brutal treatment, and limited rights, with harsh penalties for any instances of rebellion. The urban environment provided limited community for enslaved individuals, isolating them from opportunities to build supportive networks.

5. Relationships with Indigenous Peoples

Northern expansion often led to conflict with Native American groups, primarily stemming from differing perceptions of land ownership. Settlers believed they could lay claim to lands occupied by natives, leading to numerous conflicts. The Puritan notion of land use as a factor of civilization versus the Indigenous understanding of land stewardship contributed to heightened tensions. Significant conflicts like the Pequot War and King Philip's War exemplified the intense confrontations driven by settlement pressures, leading to devastating consequences for Indigenous communities, including loss of life, land, and autonomy.

6. Political Structures and Societal Tensions

6.1 Governance

In the northern colonies, local governance was primarily achieved through town meetings, which allowed for community involvement in decision-making. However, these gatherings often reinforced the supremacy of wealthy male landowners, sidelining poorer families and women. The Great Awakening played a pivotal role in challenging established authorities and promoting new religious fervors, leading to broader societal shifts aimed at equality, self-determination, and increased calls for political representation.

6.2 Social and Political Tensions

The era witnessed growing disparities between wealthy elites and common folk, exacerbated by wars, economic hardships, and an influx of immigrants seeking opportunity. Growing dissatisfaction among different social classes prompted popular movements for representation, including demands for voting rights and participation in governance. This alignment of class and political struggle laid the groundwork for future revolutionary sentiments in the colonies.

7. Conclusion: Prosperity and Inequalities at Midcentury

By the 1750s, the northern colonies experienced dramatic population and economic growth fueled by the interconnectedness of family labor and community organization. However, issues of class disparity and access to power continued to rise, as the elite maintained influence over local governance and social structures. The evolving political and social landscapes, alongside growing tensions with Britain over trade and governance, would ultimately lay the groundwork for the revolutionary movements that would reshape the nascent nation.

The Puritans were a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who advocated for a simplified form of worship and a focus on personal piety. They sought to purify the Church of England from Catholic practices and emphasized the importance of moral living, community cohesion, and strict adherence to biblical teachings. In the early 1600s, many Puritans migrated to New England, where they established communities that reflected their religious beliefs, including a focus on education and governance aligned with their interpretation of the scriptures. Puritan society strongly emphasized community support, moral living, and the idea of a covenant with God, which shaped both their social structures and political frameworks in colonial America.

The Puritans, who were central to early New England society, had complex relationships with slavery. While the primary economic model in New England was based on family labor and small farming, slavery was still present, particularly in urban areas like Boston and New York. Many Puritan families participated in slavery, owning enslaved individuals who performed domestic work. The Puritans' emphasis on moral living and community cohesion often clashed with the brutal realities of enslaved individuals’ lives, leading to some theological debates about the morality of slavery. However, the economic benefits derived from the slave trade and the labor of enslaved people sometimes outweighed these moral considerations.

The Middle Colonies (1640-1760)


  1. Overview of the Middle ColoniesThe Middle Colonies, comprising New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, were characterized by a diverse population and a mixed economy that included agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing. These colonies served as a vital bridge between the predominantly agricultural South and the more industrialized North.



  2. Economic Traits2.1 AgricultureThe Middle Colonies had fertile soil, making them ideal for agriculture. They produced an abundance of grains, such as wheat, barley, and oats, often referred to as the "breadbasket" of colonial America. Farms varied in size, and many families participated in subsistence farming while also producing surplus for trade.


2.2 Commerce and TradeCities like Philadelphia and New York emerged as important commercial hubs due to their strategic locations along waterways. They facilitated trade not only within the colonies but also with Europe and the West Indies. The presence of merchants and artisans contributed to a vibrant economy.


  1. Cultural DiversityThe Middle Colonies were home to a varied population, including English, Dutch, German, and Swedish settlers. This cultural mélange fostered a spirit of religious tolerance, especially in Pennsylvania, established by Quaker William Penn, promoting peace and egalitarianism.


  2. Religious InfluencesReligious diversity was a hallmark of the Middle Colonies. Besides Quakers, various groups such as Protestants, Catholics, and Jews coexisted. This tolerance helped to create a more open society compared to other colonies, particularly in regards to individual rights and civic participation.


  3. Political StructureGovernance varied among the Middle Colonies. Some colonies were proprietary, like Pennsylvania, while others were royal. Local governments often operated through assemblies, allowing for citizen representation in governance, which contributed to a growing sense of political identity among colonists.


  4. ConclusionThe Middle Colonies played a key role in the economic and social development of early America. With their agricultural productivity and thriving urban centers, they helped lay the foundation for a diverse, democratic society, influencing the future trajectory of the United States.


The Glorious Revolution of 1688 had significant repercussions in the American colonies, particularly in terms of governance and colonial relations with England. After the ousting of King James II, the new rulers, William III and Mary II, reinforced the principle that Parliament had supremacy over the monarchy. In the colonies, this shift led to increased demands for self-governance and contributed to the rise of the concept of individual rights among colonists.

In particular, the revolution inspired the overthrow of unpopular colonial governors who were seen as aligned with James II, such as in the Dominion of New England, leading to the restoration of local assemblies and greater political participation by colonists. This shift laid the groundwork for later revolutionary sentiments by emphasizing the rights of English subjects, including colonists, fostering a spirit of resistance to arbitrary rule and contributing to the eventual push for independence from Great Britain.

The Iroquois, also known as the Haudenosaunee or the Six Nations, were a group of Indigenous peoples residing in the northeastern United States, particularly in areas that would later become important during the colonial period. Comprising six tribes—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora—the Iroquois were known for their complex political organization, structured around a council of chiefs that facilitated intertribal decision-making. This political structure was significant during the colonial era as it allowed the Iroquois to negotiate effectively with European settlers. Their matrilineal social framework gave women substantial influence in both family and community matters. Throughout the fur trade era and various colonial conflicts, the Iroquois played a strategic role, often aligning with different European powers (such as the French and British) to maintain their autonomy and influence in colonial affairs.