Most of us today are not farmers and see education as the way to advance.
So, If you assume that education was only for the oldest son in each family. You will have some idea of the value of land to a nation of farmers and very large families in 1789.
The problem of land was not simple: You could divide the land till in a few generations the family would have nothing or leave the farm to the oldest son. But what of the younger sons? What of the daughters? Who would they marry? Sure, the older girl can marry the elder son of the farm next door. But what of the younger? She could marry a tradesman and the younger son could become one but how many tradespeople will a farming culture,where people make most of what they need, support? Of course you could stay on the farm as a "hand" or a "Maid" in fact servant to your older brother or sister and THEIR family.
OR in a world of endless land you could both "go west' get more land.
To the majority of the people of America in 1789 the answer was clear and simple.
Land was freedom and life.
So, If you assume that education was only for the oldest son in each family. You will have some idea of the value of land to a nation of farmers and very large families in 1789.
The problem of land was not simple: You could divide the land till in a few generations the family would have nothing or leave the farm to the oldest son. But what of the younger sons? What of the daughters? Who would they marry? Sure, the older girl can marry the elder son of the farm next door. But what of the younger? She could marry a tradesman and the younger son could become one but how many tradespeople will a farming culture,where people make most of what they need, support? Of course you could stay on the farm as a "hand" or a "Maid" in fact servant to your older brother or sister and THEIR family.
OR in a world of endless land you could both "go west' get more land.
To the majority of the people of America in 1789 the answer was clear and simple.
Land was freedom and life.
No comments:
Post a Comment