American Life in the Seventeenth Century, 1607-1692 Ch. 4: American Life in the Seventeenth Century, 1607-1692

The Chesapeake

Unhealthy Chesapeake Short lives for early settlers Malaria, dysentery & typhoid ½ born did not survive their 20th birthday few lived to 50 Fewer women: 6-to-1 ratio in 1650 Few children reached adulthood with both parents Few grandparents Population growth came from immigrants until end of the 17th century

The Tobacco Economy Tobacco grows well, but… Labor-intensive crop Exhausts soil Creates need for new land Labor-intensive crop Indian slaves/workers did not work out

The Tobacco Economy Indentured Servants Headright System ¾ of immigrant population Headright System 100 acres of land to those who paid passage Virginia & Maryland

Early Virginia Governor William Berkeley (1642—1670) Appointed by King Growth in population 1650 - 16,000 1660 - 40,000 House of Burgesses Berkeley influenced (i.e. “controlled”) the vote Landowners only could vote

Bacon's Rebellion, 1676 Nathaniel Bacon- Gentry in the back-country Under representation in House of Burgesses Indian uprising in west Resented White encroachment No help for settlers from government in Jamestown Berkeley had a lucrative fur trade with the Indians

Bacon's Rebellion, 1676 Bacon attacked the Indians including a peaceful tribe Burned down Jamestown End of revolt Bacon died suddenly 22 executed for rebellion

Bacon’s Rebellion, 1776

Bacon's Rebellion, 1676 Significance: Social class conflict Indians v. Whites Power potential of landless masses Landowners shifted to importing African slaves Perpetual slavery would not require westward expansion.

Slavery in America “Middle Passage“ Portuguese dominated trade at first Heavy trade in Caribbean & the southern colonies 11 million to N & S America & the Caribbean “Middle Passage“ Horrific ship life between Africa and New World Royal African Co. of England had a monopoly

Middle Passage

Slave ship Slave ship This plan graphically depicts the crowded, unsanitary conditions under which enslaved Africans were packed like cargo and transported across the Atlantic. (Library of Congress) Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Growth of Slavery Numbers: By 1700 = 25,000 in America N. England=16,000 Middle colonies= 29,000 South had the rest Totals: ~10 million Africans taken from Africa 400,000 taken to North America Most to South America or West Indies

Growth of Slavery Change in status: Slave Codes: At first--indentured servants Early 1700s--permanent status as slaves. Justification--considered an inferior race. Slave Codes: Numbers of slave increased = harsher treatment All descendants of slaves were also property (or chattels) Illegal to teach a slave to read and write

Developing African American Culture Population: 3/4 lived on plantations of 10 or more slaves. 1/2 lived in communities of 50 or more

Developing African American Culture Families & Culture: In more populated areas--developed strong & elaborate family structures. Most slaves were field hands, some learned trades and crafts.

Developing African American Culture Resistance: NY slave revolt, 1712: 12 Whites killed;21 Blacks executed South Carolina, 1739: Stono Rebellion 50 slaves tried to get to Spanish Florida Most resistance was passive: Running away, breaking tools, faking illnesses etc.

Stono Rebellion

Plantations & Southern Society Stratified Southern class system- Large Plantation owners –wealthy & influential FFV (First Families of Virginia) came before 1690 Included Lees, Fitzhugh's, Washington's etc. Small Farmers - largest social group Economy of tobacco - precarious Landless Whites (free whites)-- former indentured servants Blacks (free and slaves)

A Tobacco Plantation

New England

New England Culture & Family Population: Lifespan increased 10 years by immigrating to New England If survived infancy, life expectancy was up to age 70. Population growth Reproduction; married young 10 children common

New England Culture & Family Came in family units Structure was more stable “Invented” grandparents (lifespan) Puritans had high value on family –religion & economics Divorce--rare

New England Culture & Family Women Submissive Married women yielded property to men Could inherit property from husband Single women could manage own estates Midwifery – One job available for women

New England Family

Life in New England Towns Villages "covenant“--commitment of unity & harmony Town organizations: Houses and church around "common" farmlands given outside the village Town meetings - members vote Inheritance - land divided among all sons (not primogeniture)

Life in New England Towns Education Massachusetts School law 1647 Every village over 50 households required to provide an elementary Education led to a 50% literacy rate New England Primer: widely used schoolbook taught lessons of social and religious duty Harvard established in 1637 = train for the ministry

Halfway Covenant Decline of Piety Halfway Covenant,1662 Rise of denominationalism Movement westward Rise of towns & material goods Enlightenment Halfway Covenant,1662 Many children of "saints" had not had the "conversion experience" Compromise: Right of baptism for children Not allowed to vote in church affairs Jeremiad –doomsayers Orthodox Puritans felt that religious piety in New England was declining

Salem Witch Trials Salem, Massachusetts 1692 “Witch Hunt” 20 residents put to death Tensions between people of differing economic status Accused = wealthy (property-holding women) Accusers = subsistence farming families Showed widening social stratification Ceased when the governor’s wife was accused

Salem Witch Trials

New England Way of Life Frugal and hard working Rocky soil and strict religion Climate: Hot summers & cold winters Culture conflict about land: Native Americans used the land but had no concept of ownership New Englanders cleared & divided the land.

New England Way of Life Livestock: pigs, horses, sheep & cattle Shipbuilding: Timber & Commerce Fishing (Cod) “Yankee ingenuity”—creative &hard workers