Chapter 5 Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution 1700 - 1775

Overarching Question: how did the 13 colonies evolve more towards their own unique set of cultural, economic, and political qualities? How did they maintain similar qualities to England? First need to make sure we understand – what are political, economic, and social/cultural features/aspects?

Demographic Changes – Immigration and Migration As population grew more pioneers moved towards areas further west – KY and TN Cities got bigger – Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Charleston 90% of population lived in rural areas New British immigrants moving to the colonies for new reasons More German immigrants moving into colonies (mostly Pennsylvania), but maintain their culture Scots-Irish moving to the colonies and moving towards the independent backwoods areas for new land and to get away from intolerance Population young – doubling in size every 25 years (from 300,000 in 1700 to 2.5 million in 1775 – almost 20% African)

Immigrant Groups 1775

How did the diversity affect American development and English control? Groups to consider Germans Scot-Irish Paxton Boys and the Regulator Movement Other European groups French, Welsh, Dutch, Swedes, Jews, Irish, Swiss, Scot Highlanders Africans

Slavery in America Regional differences between Deep South and Chesapeake and Northern colonies Treatment of slaves Relationships and families Relationship with the transatlantic slave trade Establishment of distinct African American culture Created and blended language, religion, and folkways Diversifying of work Overt vs. Covert forms of resistance to slavery New York slave revolt Stono Rebellion Encoding messages in religious songs Fusing African and Christian elements in their religion

Social Stratification* Social stratification becomes stricter closer to revolution Wealthier families establishing themselves Wearing more foreign made clothes, placing themselves in front of others in public settings Growing number of widows and orphans Shrinking farm sizes  younger generation become wage laborers Strict stratification between plantation owners and poor whites in South More indentured servants Growing numbers of slaves “Land of equality and opportunity” No titles of nobility Ignores slavery Most Americans owned small farms they tilled themselves Open social ladder

Economy of Colonial America While ministry still remained somewhat prestigious – lawyers and doctors were not and not well trained 90% worked in agriculture Tobacco (South), Wheat/grain (Middle), fishing (New England)  high standard of living Ship building (New England and Middle) Some manufacturing All part of larger mercantilism system – triangular trade  had to trade with Britain – Molasses Act

Life and Culture in the Colonies Roadways and Waterways Taverns Postal system Religions of the colonies Anglican and Congregational Churches existed, but most did not necessarily join or attend Church just became a place where politics were discussed alongside the gospel Religious toleration and liberalizing also assisted in lessening the focus of the older churches Arminianism diminished belief and power of predestination

The Great Awakening Religious revival ,1730s-1740s Starts in Massachusetts, Jonathan Edwards Reaffirmed need to be dependent on God and not just do good works Reignited church membership – baptism Evangelical style, George Whitefield  huge crowds gathered to hear his oration Old lights vs. new lights – opposing views of new style Effects – greater focus on emotive spirituality, more denominations, new members and missionaries, new colleges, unified people of all walks of life, many question authority of orthodox institutions

Education Education had only been for the male elite  early push by NE leads to greater educational focus for all Even so, school came second to work Schools in NE were more organized and populous than the middle and South School’s main focus first – religion No independent thinking –Aim towards creating more ministers Eventually higher education becomes more modern

Other Cultural Features Still very infatuated with European art and culture Any artists had to go to Europe to truly study and practice their craft Architecture modeled after Old World Poetry and literature was done by many, but often modeled still by England with some exceptions: Phillis Wheatley – exception Benjamin Franklin Beginning stages of scientific experimentation The press Gained traction during the eve of the revolution Newspapers were slow and not many people could afford to maintain a library Zenger trial About 50 public libraries by the revolution

To what degree were the colonies developing an independent way of life from England on the Eve of the Revolution?