Chapter 5: Colonial Society Pre-Revolution 1700-1775

Population Growth 1700- 300,000 people 1775- 2.5 million (800k made up of immigrants and slaves) 1700- 20:1(english: colonist) 1775- 3:1 ( english: colonist)

Cities Only 4 major cities in the Colonies Philadelphia New York Boston Charleston

Diversity Most diverse in the world. (still all white people) Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence , 18 were non- English and 8 were not born in the colonies.

Mixed Colonies These colonies are a mix of different people of different European countries. Germans, Dutch, Africans, Irish, Scots-Irish, Scottish,English

Scots-Irish Group wasn’t well-thought of, Rough frontiersmen. Paxton Boys- 1764, Rebelling against Quakers’ Native American policy Regulators Movement- Pro-western movement

Social Change -The colonies gave many people the ability to jump to a better social class. -New England merchants gain power from supplying war materials. -Southern Planters continuing to gain more slaves/wealth

Hierarchy of Jobs Ministry- educated, powerful Physicians- poorly trained, Small Pox (1721) Lawyers- Not a large need at first, troublemakers

Economy Agriculture is top industry- Tobacco in the South, Wheat in the Middle colonies. Fishing- Profitable for the New England Colonies. Leads to shipbuilding Commercial trade- shipping goods from place to place

Slave Trade - Colonists tried to limit the importation of slaves. - Wanted to limit the number of resentful slaves - England didn’t want to eliminate the trade.

Slavery Protected Slavery was first legally protected in Massachusetts. Laws were created all across the colonies to protect the institution. Laws shape an environment of racial superiority between White Colonists and enslaved Africans.

Trade with France Most tobacco goes to France. Lots of timber goes to the French West Indies Foodstuffs( wheat and other food) Trade’s purpose is to acquire the cash to buy British goods

Molasses Act Limiting the trade of sugar and other goods to the French West Indies (1733) Another early example of the King restricting the colonists. Leads to more smuggling

Internal Travel Roads are limited and do not connect( no highway system) Safest travel was by river. Post service(1750’s) Taverns spring up along the roads and rivers. These become places to discuss ideas

The Two Churches Two state supported churches. Anglican (Church of England) and Congregationalists(Puritans) Anglicans were in the South Congregationalists were in New England

Religious Breakdown MA, CT, NH- Congregationalist MD,VA,NC,SC,GA - Anglican NJ,RI,DE,PA- No Official Church

Anglicans Much more relaxed. Not as intense. Accepted fun more. Colleges come around to train clergy. Anglicans have to go to England to be ordained. This Church remains loyal to Crown

Congregationalists Sermons are severe Colleges created to train clergy. Very pro-revolution

The Great Awakening Emotional revival of religion is the Colonies Arminianism- A person’s free will, not predestination, will save them. Slowly leads to change in the colonial Churches

The Awakening (contd) 1730’s and 40’s- Nationwide Mass Movement. Northampton, MA- Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” George Whitfield- traveled all over, orator and preacher

Old/New Lights Old Lights- the Orthodox Clergy New Lights- revitalizers (Edwards, Whitfield) Awakening left a cultural mark- Direct, Emotional delivery. Begin to question authority of leadership in Gov’t

College Education Primarily to train the clergy in the beginning. Focused on knowing the faith and the classical languages( Latin and Greek) Harvard, W and M, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth

Literature First best seller in the Colonies: Poor Richard’s Almanack Published by Ben Franklin. Becomes the second most popular book in colonies “Penny saved…” “Early to bed…”

Printing Press Ben Franklin starts the first lending library Presses crank out (about 40 by 1700’s) newspapers, pamphlets, journals Colonists are avid readers. Papers help spread revolutionary ideas.

Zenger Trial 1734 John Peter Zenger- News Publisher, sued for libel by New York’s governor. Zenger published the truth. Jury told to ignore the truth or false of the statements. The fact that he published the statements means that he can be convicted.

Zenger Trial part 2 Jury finds Zenger innocent. Sets a precedent for the Freedom of the Press. Truth as defense against Libel. Jury Nullification.

Voting requirements Varied from state to state Property/religious qualifications to vote. Stricter requirements to hold office About half could vote. Many People didn’t, let their “betters” decide.

Enlightenment Period of time during the 1700’s, philosophy takes a step towards using mental reasoning and logic to solve issues of the world. Americans will be shaped by the philosophy of Locke, Montesquieu.

Natural Rights Natural rights- people are entitled to have rights based on the fact that they are human. The State is supreme but, sovereignty is with the people. 3 Branches of Government- Judicial, Executive, Legislative

Social Activities South- cards, dances, horse racing, stage plays North- religious lectures Lotteries were accepted way to make money.