Final answer:
The gentry in Colonial America were wealthy landowners topmost in the social hierarchy. The middle class, consisting of merchants, farmers, and artisans, became more politically active post-Revolution. The poor lacked resources and rights, with slaves being at the lowest rung of the society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Colonial America, the three main social classes were the gentry, the middle class, and the poor. Each of these classes had distinct roles and differences.
Gentry
The gentry were the top social class, consisting of wealthy landowners who often had slaves to work their lands. They built mansions to display their wealth and power and were heavily involved in the political and governing aspects of their colonies, modeling themselves after the English aristocracy.
Middle Class
The middle class was made up of merchants, farmers, traders, and artisans. After the Revolution, this class became more engaged in political processes and military service, and started playing a larger part in the running of their colonies. They were significant consumers in the society and traditional land ownership was no longer the only means to social standing due to the Industrial Revolution and consumer market changes.
Poor
Those who were poor often lacked the means to meet their basic needs, and they were not significantly engaged in the markets or landowning. The poor also included the peasantry who worked on the lands of higher classes and had limited rights. The lowest on the societal ladder were slaves, who had little to no rights and worked in the most hazardous conditions.
These distinct roles and levels of wealth and power were the key differences between the social classes in Colonial America.