American Identity Early 1700’s

I. Land, Rights, and Wealth A.Cheap farmland and plenty of natural resources 1.In England fewer than 5% owned land 2.Land ownership gave colonists political rights a)Only white male land owners were allowed to vote

II. Colonial Social Ranks A.High 1.Large landowners 2.Church, government officials 3.Wealthy merchants B.Upper middle 1.Small farmers and trades people C.Lower middle 1.Renters and unskilled workers D.Low 1.Slaves, indentured servants

III. Women and young people at work A.Most farm women made things their families needed 1. a)Women would also trade with other families B.Average families had 6 to 8 children 1.More children meant more workers 2.As young as 3 or 4yr olds were expected to be useful C.At age 11 boys left home to be an apprentice 1.

IV. School A.Only wealthy families went to school for writing and arithmetic 1.New England- 85% white men could read 2.Middle colonies- 60% 3.Southern colonies- 50% 4.England- only 60% could read

V. Books A.Colonial readers supported a publishing industry 1.Newspapers, almanacs, and regional histories were popular 2.Books drew colonies together

VI. The Great Awakening A.Traveling ministers preached that inner religious emotion was more important than outward religious behavior B.Congregations began to split apart 1.Many joined Baptists and other Protestant churches 2.Churches gained 20,000-50,000 followers C.Awakening encouraged equality and right to challenge authority

VII. The Enlightenment A.Stressed learning about science and purpose 1.It began in Europe as scientists began to unlock the laws of the Universe B.John Lock argued that people had the rights of life, liberty, and property C.Enlightenment ideas caused colonists to question England's authority