Chapter 5 – Colonial Society on the Eve of the Revolution Great population growth: -1700 -300,000 people total -20,000 of total black -1775 -2.5 million people total -500,000 of total black 400,000 each of white immigrants & black slaves – the rest were by natural fertility

By 1775: Largest colonies were VA, MA, PA, NC, MD and largest cities were all on ports (Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Charleston) Population was a “Melting Pot”: 6% Germans, 7% Scots-Irish, 5% other Europeans (French, Swedes, Dutch, Irish, Swiss), 20% African (South owned 90% of slaves) America had the most diverse population in the world with New England being the least diverse colonial region; in middle and southern colonies, ½ of population was non-English

Paxton Boys – 1764 – Scots-Irish led a revolt against Quaker’s peaceful policy toward the Indians (right after the French and Indian War) Compared to Europe, America was a land of equality (there was no titled nobility) By 1775 there is some social stratification; “merchant princes” in New England and middle colonies; church seating was by social rank “What then is an American, this new man?” – French writer Jean de Crevecoeur wrote about America’s population

De Crevocoeur wrote in 1770, “They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race now called Americans have arise … I could point out to you a family whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, who son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations.”

Clerics, Physicians and Jurists Ministry: Most honored profession, but by 1775 had less influence Physicians: Poorly trained, not well-respected Epidemics like smallpox and diptheria Law profession: “noisy windbags”, “troublesome rogues”, “drunkards” and “brothel keepers”

Working Americans 90% worked in agriculture; Chesapeake grew tobacco and the middle colonies were the “bread basket” New England: fishing; commerce and manufacturing; lumbering and also “cottage industries” like weaving and spinning cotton into cloth; beaver hats Needed new foreign markets; growing American population versus a slow growing British population; U.S. started trading with the French West Indies 1733 Molasses Act – passed by Parliament to stop colonists from trading with French West Indies; colonists bribed and smuggled to get around the law

Americans needed cash from the French West Indies to buy goods from the British

1700s – roads connected large cities, but the terrible conditions made travel very slow Waterways were the main transportation; population grew on the banks of large rivers; water travel was slow but cheap Taverns: gossip, information; “cradles of democracy” Postal service in 1700s was slow, infrequent and not private

Religion in America By 1775 there were 2 tax-supported churches in America: 1. Anglican (Church of England) Southern colonies Faith was less fierce, more worldly College of William & Mary (1693) More loyal to the crown than New England 2. Congregational Church New England Preachers talked of Revolution from pulpit Religious toleration begins to develop

The Great Awakening 1730s-1740s 1700s – colonists were religiously less fervent New liberal ideas like the Arminians who said that an person’s free will and NOT divine decree determines salvation; you can be saved by good works; “half-way” covenant (let people into church w/out a spiritual conversion Jonathan Edwards – most well-know Great Awakening preacher – from Mass. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” “thus it is that natural men are held in the hand of God, over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it; and God is dreadfully provoked”

Results of the Great Awakening: George Whitefield – another Great Awakening preacher – new evangelical style of preaching; drama Human helplessness and divine omnipotence Roaring revival meetings Leads to greater independence and diversity in thought Expansion of Protestant evangelism Almost a mixture of religions due to trans-Atlantic exchanges Old Lights (intellectual) vs. New Lights (emotive) Other denominations like Presbyterians and Baptists increased in # Results of the Great Awakening: 1. More emotion in religion 2. Increase in # of churches 3. Missionary work w/Indians and slaves 4. Colleges to train ministers – Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth

*****Great Awakening was the first mass movement of the American people! ***** GA laid the groundwork for the American Revolution! Jonathan Edwards George Whitefield

Important Results: _________ was emphasized – every person is equal in the eyes of God. Encouraged help for blacks and Indians. Encouraged separation of church and state. Led to the creation and growth of new evangelical denominations: ___________ and ________, and challenged the established religious orders. It laid one of the social foundations for the American Revolution. Allowed more participation by _______. Equality Methodist Baptist women

Schools and Colleges England – only the wealthy attended school New England: More interested in education than the South – Bible reading Focused on boys – many educated in England universities Early on had many primary and secondary schools South and Middle: some elementary; rich people used tutors

Art, Literature and Architecture America still heavily influenced by the Old World in all areas, but most did not have time for such leisure ART: Charles Wilson Peale – portrait artist – George Washington ARCHITECTURE: old world style modified – T. Jefferson LITERATURE: also old world style; one exception was Phyllis Wheatley – slave girl & poet Ben Franklin – “Poor Richard’s Almanack” – 1732-1758

Colonial Press John Peter Zenger trial: Americans were too poor to buy books but some had private libraries Pamphlets, leaflets, journals, newspapers were very common John Peter Zenger trial: Newspaper printer; criticized NY royal-appointed governor Defended by Alexander Hamilton in court against charges of “seditious libel” Hamilton said, “Freedom of the press: it is the cause of liberty!” Zenger found not guilty by jury; victory for freedom of the press

Colonial Politics Governments of colonies: variety but 8 had royally-appointed governors Almost all had 2-house legislatures Upper house – appointed or elected Lower house – popular vote (must own property) Power of the Purse: colonial assemblies would not pay royal governors if they did not yield to their wishes Colonies: not democratic yet, but ahead of Old World in tolerance, education, economic opportunity, freedom of the press, assembly and religion