Southern Colonies Social Structure

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People across the world immigrated to America in search of a new life free from the oppression of the Old World and in pursuit of the promise of a bountiful future in America. These brave people came from vastly different races, cultures, and economic backgrounds which led to the unique development of the southern colonies social structure. The social structure of the south was comprised of three parts: the wealthy Great Planters, the diligent Yeoman farmers, and the daring Frontier Families. The Great Planters were the aristocratic landowners of the south who held the most political power and the top position of the social structure of the southern colonies. These people owned acres upon acres of American farming land which they used to build …show more content…

These families were extremely hard workers who pushed the boundaries of the early colonies out into the wilderness of America. The Frontier families built a life for themselves away from society, building cabins and small villages out of the thick, dense forests of the American wilderness. There, they worked together to gather food to survive by cultivating wheat, corn and other vegetables and by hunting game such as venison, wild turkey, and fish. Without access to the commodities of civilized society, the Frontier Families had to make their own clothing: men wore leather made from deer or sheep skin and women spun cloth to make their own dresses and other clothing. Also, these families lived many miles from schools so their children only learned to read and write if their parents had already been taught to do so. Because of the lack of schooling, these children often began to work in the fields and around the house at a very young age. Although the Frontier Families worked very hard, they also had time to relax by having huge barbecues, holding dances, celebrating at housewarming parties for newly weds, and competing in shooting matches and quilting