Social Structure
WomenWomen were expected to help the men in hard labor tasks in order for survival. They ran the house, farmed and raised children. Women were viewed as weaker and had to give total respect to the men.
|
Indentured ServantsThe servants were used to meet a growing demand of cheap, plentiful labor in the colony. The servants had a contract to work a fixed amount of time (5-7 yrs.) in exchange for transportation to Pennsylvania.
|
Native AmericansThe settlers wanted to work together with the Native Americans in a respectful manner. When colonizing, Penn made sure to fully pay for the land from the Indians. Later on the French and Indian War damaged their relationship.
|
Class SystemPennsylvania and other middle colonies had a more equal class system. The gentry, upper class, contained large landowners and wealthy merchants. The largest group was the middle class which was made up of artisans, business owners, and small farmers. Servants were at the bottom of the class system but were few in numbers and treated much better in the Pennsylvania.
|
Rural LifePennsylvania was considered a "farmer's heaven" because their was plenty of land bought to farm on. The colony is also part of the "bread basket of America" because it was suitable to grow a surplus of wheat, corn, barley, and rye. Servants who worked on the land becoming rich, being considered the best, poor man's country.
|