How much say did colonists have in their lives? What types of things did they have control of and what things were outside of their control?
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Some communities exerted more control over the colonists than others. Britain had very little control over them -- at least until it started overtaxing the colonists.
Check these sites for more information.
http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-history/american-colonial-life.htm
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To understand how much say colonists had in their lives, we need to look at the specific context and time period you are referring to, as different colonies and periods had different systems of governance and levels of autonomy. However, I can provide a general overview.
In colonial America, the level of control that colonists had in their lives varied depending on various factors such as the colony they lived in, their social status, and the time period. Let's discuss some areas where they had control and areas where they had limited control:
1. Local government: Colonists had some level of control over their local governments. They could participate in town meetings, elect local officials, and have a say in local matters like town management, land distribution, and the creation of local laws. Especially in New England colonies, town meetings provided a democratic platform where colonists could voice their opinions.
2. Economic activities: Colonists had a considerable degree of control over their economic activities. They could engage in farming, trade, and entrepreneurial ventures, allowing them to influence their economic well-being and social mobility. Many colonies implemented policies that promoted economic freedom, such as offering land grants, encouraging trade, and establishing self-governing businesses.
3. Legal rights: Colonists enjoyed certain legal rights, including the right to a fair trial and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. However, these rights were often limited to white male property owners, and marginalized groups such as enslaved individuals, women, and indigenous populations had significantly fewer rights and control over their lives.
4. Religion and education: Religion played a significant role in colonial life, and colonists had the freedom to practice their own religion or establish their own places of worship. In New England, townships had control over the establishment and support of local churches. Similarly, colonists had control over education, especially in the New England colonies, where towns were responsible for establishing and maintaining schools.
However, it is important to note that colonists also faced several limitations on their control and autonomy:
1. British rule: The American colonies were ultimately under the control of the British Crown, which imposed various restrictions and regulations on colonial governance, trade, and taxation. British officials had the final say in many matters, and colonists had limited representation in decisions affecting their lives.
2. Colonial legislature: While colonists had some control over local government, they had limited control or representation in higher-level decision-making. Each colony had its own legislature, but in many cases, the governor was appointed by the British Crown. This limited the colonists' ability to influence broader policies and decisions.
3. Taxation and trade: The British government imposed taxes and regulations on colonial trade, often without colonial consent. This lack of control over economic policies and taxation was a significant point of contention leading up to the American Revolution.
In summary, colonists had varying degrees of control in their lives depending on factors such as their colony, social status, and time period. They had some level of control over local government, economic activities, religion, and education. However, their autonomy was limited by British rule, lack of representation in higher-level decision-making, and restrictions on taxation and trade.