Wealth Divided Colonial Society
Wealth Divided Colonial Society is a Grade 5 history skill from California myWorld Interactive, Chapter 4: Life in the Colonies. Students explore how colonial American society was stratified by wealth, with the wealthy gentry at the top, a middle class of farmers and artisans, lower-class workers below, and enslaved people treated as property and excluded entirely from the social ladder.
Key Concepts
In the American colonies, a person's wealth often decided their place in society. At the top were the gentry , the wealthiest landowners and merchants who held the most power. They lived more comfortably than anyone else.
Below them was a large middle class, which included small farmers and skilled artisans like blacksmiths. The lower class consisted of workers and servants who owned very little land or property.
Common Questions
What were the social classes in colonial America?
At the top were the gentry—wealthy landowners and merchants. Below them was a middle class of farmers and skilled artisans. Lower-class workers and servants owned little. Enslaved people were not considered part of this social ladder.
Who were the gentry in colonial America?
The gentry were the wealthiest landowners and merchants who held the most power in colonial society. They lived more comfortably than anyone else and controlled much of the political and economic life.
How were enslaved people treated in colonial society?
Enslaved people were treated as property, not as participants in colonial society. They ranked below all other groups with no freedom or rights, and were excluded from the social hierarchy entirely.
What textbook covers colonial social classes for Grade 5?
This topic is covered in California myWorld Interactive, Grade 5, Chapter 4: Life in the Colonies.