In 1700’s, colonists “breeding like rabbits” Population doubled every 25 years Average age was 16--population was youthful By 1775, 90 percent of the people lived in rural (country) areas Most were farmers 10 percent lived in urban (city) areas Pennsylvania Dutch--people actually from Germany; mislabeled Scots-Irish--weren’t Irish at all, just Scottish African Americans--made up about 20% of population

In colonial America, it was known as the land of opportunity and equality (excluding slaves) Most Americans were farmers and lived on farms America allowed anyone to rise in social class including 2 indentured servants who signed Declaration of Independence In the South, power was in the hands of large land owners

In colonial society, most prestigious occupation was a minister Doctors were highly unpopular Bleeding was a favorite and frequently fatal remedy When a doctor wasn’t available, a barber was summoned Disease was common including diphtheria, smallpox Lawyers not liked much either Viewed as noisy windbags or troublemakers

Agriculture main industry 90 percent of colonials are farmers Middle Colonies called the “Breadbasket of the World” Middle Colonies are New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware (NYPD)

Fishing a major career in New England Led to shipbuilding industry too Most famous type of trade in New England was “Triangular Trade” Usually involved New England, Africa, and West Indies

Transportation was very slow in colonial America Communication was very slow Waterways one of the main routes of transportation Towns sprang up along waterways Roads were rough and dangerous to travel Taverns also sprang up along routes of travel

There were two tax supported churches in the colonies Also known as the Church of England Strongest church in the Southern colonies Not as hardcore as Puritan churches Main church of New England Puritans Found in all New England colonies Much more hardcore

Name for a religious revival in the 1730’s and 1740’s Most famous sermon was Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God First Great Awakening added new ingredient of “emotionalism” to religion Those that did not like the new emotionalism Those that felt emotionalism is what was needed

1.Old Lights/New Lights--religions split 2.Two religions boomed--Baptist and Methodists 3.New denominations and religions were started 4.Missionary worked boomed 5.New Colleges were started 6.Pulled people together

Most colonial colleges were started for religious reasons Pennsylvania was the only college not started for religious reasons Pennsylvania founded by Ben Franklin New England more interested in education The South lagged behind others in education In the South, tutors used for wealthiest people 1.Harvard 2.William and Mary 3.Yale 4.Princeton 5.Pennsylvania 6.Columbia 7.Brown 8.Rutgers 9.Dartmouth

Ex slave girl who became a decent poet Wasn’t truly educated at all Known as “First Civilized American” Wrote Poor Richards Almanac Did experiments with electricity Invented bifocal glasses Invented Franklin Stove--wood stove Invented the lightening rod Invented the first circulating library Invented the rocking chair

Famous trial dealing with freedom of the press Trial took place in 1735 John Peter Zenger was a newspaper editor charged with liable Had written negatively about the Royal Governor; found not guilty Laid the foundation for the freedom of the press