Crime and Punishment and Class Differences

Sammi Matera

Nicole Congdon

Emily Hoerter

Cannon Van Handel

By:

Each colonial assembly passed its own laws defining crimes and punishment

Crimes = Punishment Serious crimes=death (murder, treason, etc.) Parents equaled “God” back then If you believed in the real God then you were sentenced to

death Theft, forgery, robbery = Jailed, whipped, or branded with

irons Broken Sabbath, drunkenness = fines, jail terms, mortify,

or locked in stocks

Crime and Punishment

1691 brought witchcraft fears Several strange acting girls were sent to

questioning and each girl would blame other girls to avoid execution.

That year, 20 young women accused of witchcraft were executed.

Later it turned out that the accusation was false.

Witchcraft

The blue laws were written by the Puritans. Why were the blue laws blue? The paper

had blue bindings.

The Blue Laws

There are 4 different classes First Class people were rich business men that had risen

to money fame. Middle class was farmers, merchants and market place

sellers. They were lucky to make money and put food on the table. They had to have some sort of property to vote.

Lower class was farmhands and workers, they COULD NOT vote, some of them rose up to the middle class while some stayed as labor.

The lowest class were servants and slaves.

Class Differences

Moving up in the ladder was very difficult. Most colonist started at the bottom of the

ladder. You could move up by being a successful

planter, lawyer, or merchant. Women could also move up by marrying a

upperclassman.

Class Ladder

Diagram of the Class Differences

At the top: First class: the rich people!

In the middle: Middle class: the farmers and merchants.

Next is Lower Class: farmhands and people who depended on the Middle Class.

Finally at the bottom: Slaves and Servants who weren’t treated fair.

Sundays were for sober clothing Wore wigs, silver, gold, lace and other types

of upper class clothing wear. Money made you important.

Clothing: A Big DealClothing Makes

The Man!

1. List any THREE common crimes that would give you punishment.

2. How many women were killed from being accused as witches?3. What happened if you broke the Sabbath?4. Why are the blue laws blue?5. How many different classes were there?6. Who created the blue laws?7. What colors did the middle class wear on Sundays?8. How would a woman of a lower class move up?9. What made you important?10. When did people develop a fear of witchcraft?

Quiz Time!!!!

1. Theft, forgery, and robbery etc. 2. 20 women 3. fined, go to jail or locked in stocks 4. The blue laws had a blue binding 5. 4 different classes 6. The Puritans 7. sober, dark colors. 8. by marrying a higher class man 9. Money! 10. 1691

Answers