Chapter 3 Colonies Develop

Georgia Problems with Spanish territory in Florida James Oglethorpe: Military hero and member of parliament Founded Georgia as buffer between Florida and South Carolina. Brought prisoners from England to serve as Farmer- Soldiers Required to defend the colony. Poorest colony of them all from the beginning

English Colonial Policy Navigation Acts: Cromwell used navy to prevent Dutch ships from trading in English colonies Charles II took this a step further 1. Colonial trade only with British ships 2. All colonial exports to Europe had to go through England could more easily be taxed 3. Customs officials appointed to enforce the first two acts colonists constantly evaded them

Turmoil Continues in England Glorious Revolution: William and Mary overthrew James II to take control of England. (peaceful transfer of power) established the English Bill of Rights = guaranteed rights of Englishmen, including colonists Granted more power to parliament Enlightenment: European philosophical movement, new ideas concerning medicine, education, role of gov’ts. spread to colonies, changing New England in particular Massachusetts law required every town to provide public school. Harvard was first American college.

Different worlds – North vs. South Northern Colonies Southern Colonies Cooler climate = less disease Longer life expectancy (almost 70) Family orientation = more balanced gender ratio Longer life expectancy = men hold power longer Women in subservient roles Married earlier, lived longer, had larger families Less pregnancy out of wedlock Hot climate, dangerous work = shorter life expectancy(40 years) Only 1/3 marriages last longer than 10 years Generally young girl marrying much older man 1/3 weddings - bride already pregnant Pregnant every 2 years, bare 8 kids, average of 5 survive Widows common = more influence

Economy Revolves around learning trades Northern Colonies Southern Colonies Revolves around learning trades Colder climate = no cash crops Technology develops faster to promote trade Ports and lumber support ship building industry Merchant class develops cities Boston, Philadelphia, New York The “town” is central social unit Focus on bartering and church Hot climate conducive to agricultural economy Tobacco, South Carolina dams create rice plantations, indigo Most farmers are very poor Dominated by rare, but influential, planter aristocracy Plantations become centers of trade and supplies Large farms self-sufficient, smaller farmers forced to use them

Slavery Initially, African slave trade to Caribbean and Brazil for sugar Only 5% to North America Supply and demand lowered prices = more common in N. America Plantation owners, land rich cash poor = interracial slaves common Slave Codes: used to maintain control Education of slaves prohibited, trade used to break up families Slave Culture: elaborate kinship with surrogate families to Gullah – slave language combining African tongues and English Used to communicate long after African slave trade outlawed

Witchcraft in New England Began in Salem, Mass = Eventually 19 people executed, accusers later recanted claims. The accused were typically Middle aged widowed women, few or no children, owned land Lower class women involved in social disputes People of bad repute or abrasive to neighbors Belief in the power of Satan was very real in Puritan society Fear of witchcraft beyond mere superstition in New England