USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Civic events were also central to New England life. Town meetings determined answers to important questions about running the colony. Once a year all adult males met to participate in this decision making process. These town meetings were an important step in forming the democracy we have today.

Detailed explanation-2: -New England or ‘Open’ Town Meetings are public forums that promote participation in local governance. Town meetings allow residents to voice their opinions on public issues and deliberate and vote on laws and budgets.

Detailed explanation-3: -New England’s economy was largely dependent on the ocean. Fishing (especially codfish) was most important to the New England economy, though whaling, trapping, shipbuilding, and logging were important also.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most people in New England lived by farming. It was back-breaking work and usually lasted from dawn to dusk. However in the south by the 18th century, great plantations existed alongside the many small farms.

Detailed explanation-5: -A colonial town meeting was often called if there was a persisting problem or dilemma that needed to be resolved. Many colonial towns called meetings to discuss what could be done about the divisions that had developed between England and the colonies.