Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700-1775 Cover Slide The American Pageant Chapter 5 Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700-1775 Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of 18th Century British Colonial America Enormous population growth Demographic changes resulted in shift in the balance of power between the colonies and England High fertility rate 90% lived in rural areas

America as a Melting Pot Most mixed population in all the world; yet mainly English South held 90% of slaves N. England least ethnically mixed; Mid. colonies most mixed Population breakdown: 1790

Trades & Occupations in the Colonies Artisans Printers John Peter Zenger (The Zenger Case) Ben Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanac) Farmers and Fishermen Clerics Doctors Lawyers

State of Religion in Colonial America ~ 1 in 7 in the North were church-goers; less in the South Many were Non-Religious  Religious Diversity  

The Great Awakening, 1730s – 1740s Origins They called this the “Declension” An outburst of religious revivalism in the 1730s

The Great Awakening -- 1730s-1740s Started in New England and spread down the Atlantic seaboard Role of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) Role of George Whitefield (1714-1770) “Old Light” vs. “New Light” ministers

Results of the Great Awakening Founding of "new light" colleges:

The Impact of the Great Awakening on the American Revolution Freedom of Worship  Colonists pursue a “pure” colony; later a “pure” nation America will be “a city upon a hill” – A new sense of national identity was forming in the colonies If we could worship on our own,…..

Commerce and Trade in the Colonies Triangular Trade Land speculation Manufacturing Household Economy Increased Trade Britain passes Molasses Act, 1733

Transportation in the Colonies Inland transportation poor by road / very dangerous Waterways most important: Population located near rivers Taverns became important places to discuss politics; crystallized public opinion Postal system emerged by mid 1700s

Culture and the Press in the Colonies Few Americans focus on art Phillis Wheatley (c.1753-1784) a notable exception Benjamin Franklin The colonial press John Peter Zenger Case (1735)

Seeds of Democracy Planted in Colonial America