Social Classes in the Colonies

Social Classes in the Colonies The Colonial Elite Most free Americans benefited from economic growth in the 18th century As colonial society matured an elite class emerged Not as powerful or wealthy as the aristocracy of England (important) Increasingly, the American elite class dominated politics and society (gap between rich and poor grows immensely in 18th century)

Social Classes in the Colonies The Colonial Elite New England and the Middle Colonies – emergence of powerful merchant class Chesapeake colonies and Carolinas – the elite planter class (plantation owners with numerous slaves) Rulers of proprietary colonies like Pennsylvania and Maryland Men of prominence controlled colonial government Families benefited and shared power—Virginia planters passed their wealth down and nearly every Virginian of note achieved prominence through family connections (the days when self-made men could rise into the Virginia gentry were long gone)

Social Classes in the Colonies Anglicization Several factors promoted Anglicization in the British colonies: the growth of autonomous political communities based on English models, the development of commercial ties and legal structures, the emergence of a trans-Atlantic print culture, Protestant evangelism, religious toleration, and the spread of Enlightenment ideas. For much of the 18th century, the colonies of America had more regular trade and communication with Britain than among themselves Elites in different regions slowly developed a common lifestyle and sense of common interests Did not think of themselves as distinctly America, but more and more English (“Anglicization”) Tried to emulate lifestyle of English aristocracy

Social Classes in the Colonies The South Carolina Aristocracy South Carolina planters – richest group of mainland colonists Traveled, spent time in Charleston were aristocratic social life flourished Highly concentrated wealth . . . a pattern that would continue into the 20th century across the South

Social Classes in the Colonies Throughout the colonies, elites emulated what they saw as England’s balanced, stable social order Justified their wealth and status (liberty—the right of those blessed with wealth and prominence to dominate over others) Viewed society in hierarchical terms One’s status was revealed in dress, manners, and the splendor of one’s home “Superiority” and “dependence” as natural elements of any society

Social Classes in the Colonies Poverty in the Colonies Poverty grew in the colonies during the 18th century Slavery, of course As colonial population expanded, land became less available

Social Classes in the Colonies Poverty in the Colonies Tenants and wage laborers were a growing presence on farms in the Middle Colonies by 1750 Propertyless wage earners grew in colonial cities (1/3rd owned no property in Boston in 1771; 2/3rds of white men owned no land in parts of Virginia—due to planters and speculators gobbling up land for themselves and their sons 1750 – half of the colonies wealth controlled by 10 percent elites

Social Classes in the Colonies Poverty in the Colonies Attitudes about poverty according to better-off colonists: lazy, shiftless, and responsible for their own plight (some things never change!) Communities tried to “deal” with poverty—most solutions were degrading and humiliating Many poor were widowed or abandoned women and their children

Social Classes in the Colonies The Middle Ranks Large group due to wide distribution of land and the economic autonomy of most ordinary free families Land ownership as a right, or as the social precondition of freedom—America had available land, Europe did not have much A wide distribution of property that made economic independence part of the lived experience of large numbers of white colonists

Social Classes in the Colonies Women and the Household Economy Family was the center of economic life in the 18th century All family members were expected to participate High birthrates reflected the need for labor . . . especially as small farmers and artisans started producing for overseas markets as a part of the consumer revolution

Social Classes in the Colonies Women and the Household Economy Free women were expected to devote their lives to being good wives and mothers Colonial society becoming more structured Colonial society becoming more male dominated Women have fewer opportunities than they did in earlier colonial times Division of labor along gender lines was solidified in 18th century America (women’s work) Women’s work is never done—helping with family business, taking care of house, rearing children

Social Classes in the Colonies North America at Mid-century (1750) Remarkably diverse for the times Multiple social organizations (natives, plantations, slave communities, towns, small farms, etc. Elites dominating political and economic life of nearly every colony Great opportunities for freedom Free-colonists – very high per capita income (but not evenly distributed) Economic growth produced high birthrate, longer life, expanding demand for consumer goods Economic wealth becoming more and more dependent on slavery As regional distinctiveness among the British colonies diminished over time, they developed largely similar patterns of culture, laws, institutions, and governance within the context of the British imperial system. The growth of an Atlantic economy throughout the 18th century created a shared labor market and a wide exchange of New World and European goods, as seen in the African slave trade and the shipment of products from the Americas.

Social Classes in the Colonies