The American Colonies
Government First legislature/representative assembly in Jamestown was the House of Burgesses Mayflower Compact-direct democracy New England Town Meetings-DD Fundamental Orders of Connecticut-first constitution IN America
First Rebellion Bacon’s Rebellion (Va.)- Bacon wanted the Governor to protect them against natives.
Early Colonial Governments Each colony had its own constitution Each colony had a governor (elected or appointed) Each colony had a legislature elected by free adult males The colonies took on more responsibility as Britain dealt with other issues.
Geography New England (MRCN) Middle Colonies (NNPD) Southern Colonies (M,V, NC, SC, G): 2 up, 2 down Why is geography of the colonies so important?
Economy New England-infertile soil, trade, fishing, ships, lumber Middle-fertile land, breadbasket (grain), trade Southern-plantation (Triangular Trade/Middle Passage)
Types of Colonies Proprietary-owner Royal-king Self-governing-Connecticut and Rhode Island
Religious Diversity Pilgrims-Mayflower, 1620, Separatists, Plymouth Puritans-”Purify” church, Massachusetts, 1630, Salem Witch Trials Quakers-“inner light”, Pennsylvania Catholics-Maryland Religious Dissenters-Rhode Island (Roger Williams) First Great Awakening-1720’s, led by Jonathan Edwards
Society Family Patterns-father controlled, mom-traditional roles Social Classes-3 (upper, middle, lower) Education-local government sets it up, heavily influenced by money, gender, and religion Note: Most early universities were formed to train men for the ministry