Colonial justice was harsh. Public whippings, stocks, and even executions were common for crimes like theft or blasphemy, reflecting a strict moral code.
Medicine was primitive, with treatments like bloodletting and herbal remedies. Illnesses often proved fatal due to a lack of understanding and effective cures.
Children as young as five worked long hours in fields and workshops. Education was a luxury for the few, as most kids were needed to support the family economy.
The fear of witchcraft led to infamous trials, such as the Salem witch trials, where many were executed or imprisoned based on flimsy evidence and mass hysteria.
Colonists faced brutal winters without modern heating. Many died from exposure, starvation, or illness due to inadequate shelter and food supplies.
Slavery was rampant, with African slaves and indentured servants enduring brutal conditions. This dark period was marked by inhumane treatment and lack of basic rights.
Cities were unsanitary, with waste often thrown into streets. This led to rampant diseases like dysentery and cholera, causing high mortality rates.
Strict religious conformity was enforced, with dissenters often persecuted. Quakers, Catholics, and other minority groups faced severe discrimination.
Travel was perilous due to poor road conditions, bandits, and wild animals. Long journeys could take weeks or months, fraught with risks and hardships.
Women had few legal rights and were largely confined to domestic roles. They could not vote, own property independently, or hold certain jobs, reflecting deep gender inequality.