This title offers a comprehensive look at the people, customs, and trends of the colonial and revolutionary era. Life in colonial America was often a struggle for survival and a constant lesson in adaptation. The early years of colonization - fraught with disease, starvation, and conflict with Native Americans - progressed to the development of regional communities in the form of agricultural plantations in the South and industrial port cities in the Northeast. The legalization of slavery and the signing of the Declaration of Independence were among many of the significant events of this period. Characterized by religious and political fervor, this tumultuous time in American history established many of the standards by which we live and govern today. "The Colonial and Revolutionary Era" delves into the way ordinary Americans lived, covering everything from the foods people ate to how they dressed and popular pastimes. Black-and-white photographs and boxed features throughout complete this user-friendly new book. Coverage of this title includes: crime and violence; entertainment and sports; labor and employment; military and wars; religion; science and technology; and, more.