Voyage

In small groups or as a class, compare a voyage into space today with a voyage to the New World in the 18th Century. You might draw a chart or table with headings such as Reasons for Trip, Living Conditions on Ships, Dangers, etc. Or you may want to create a piece of art illustrating some of the similarities and differences between 18th-century exploration and 21st-century exploration.

Settlers

Maps are an excellent way of allowing us to see changes clearly, providing us with visuals evidence from which we can draw conclusions. They are also useful for showing us how events affect political and social boundaries. Prepare separate maps for each of the following periods:

a) 1713-1763
b) 1763-1883
c) 1783-1800

Assign a colour code to Britain, France, Spain and the United States. On each map, outline the territory belonging to each country. As a class, or in small groups, discuss what conclusions can be drawn from changes in the balance of power reflected in your maps.

Institutions: Education

In the 18th-century, people were only taught to read and write if their occupation required it.

a) As a class, discuss whether you think this approach to literacy in the 18th-century was acceptable. Why or why not.
b) Would it be possible to take the same approach today? Would you want to?
c) In a small group, pick an 18th-century occupation and a modern occupation and discover the skills needed for each one. Propose the best way to acquire those skills.

Material Life: Clothing

Look at 18th-century clothing on the CD Rom, in history and art books or on the internet. Remember to include clothing from different social classes, occupations and age groups. How did the style of women’s and men’s clothing in the 18th-century imply that men and women have different roles in life.

Estimate how long it takes to get ready for school in the morning. The go over the same steps and imagine doing them without the aid of modern inventions; toaster, indoor plumbing, hair dryers, etc. How long would the process take? Would you have to skip any activities?

Working Life

Farming: Brainstorm a list of supplies a farmer would need during his first two years on the land. Draw a blueprint of a pioneer farm. Remember to include the features of a typical 18th Century farm (orchard, forest, meadow, fields for crops, kitchen garden, tobacco patch).In a small group discuss the question: When there is plenty of land, do farmers have a responsibility to preserve the land for future generations?

Servant: Write a newspaper advertisement offering employment to a servant in the 18th-century. List the duties that person will perform and the personal qualities you expect them to have.

Social Life

Imagine you are an 18th-century person who has a chance to take a time machine to modern times. What changes will you find? How will you react to these changes? What changes would you consider and improvement and what changes might you be unhappy with? Consider children, men’s and women’s rights and roles, education, dress, entertainment, environment, etc.


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