A Fractious People: The Demographics of Division Dr. Steven H. Newton Professor of History & Political Science Delaware State University ©Steven H. Newton; all rights reserved

Why demography? Political demographics represents a significant tool for looking at how large-scale events or phenomena develop in terms of the characteristics of populations A demographic study of the British colonies in North America prior to the Revolution reveals some very surprising data

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 1700: 1725: 1750: 1775:

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 50,000; 70% male; 85% white; source of increase now immigration augmented by birth rate 1700: 1725: 1750: 1775:

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 50,000; 70% male; 85% white; source of increase now immigration augmented by birth rate 1700: 250,000; 65% male; 80% white; sources of increase unchanged 1725: 1750: 1775:

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 50,000; 70% male; 85% white; source of increase now immigration augmented by birth rate 1700: 250,000; 65% male; 80% white; sources of increase unchanged 1725: 600,000; 65% male; 80% white; population now doubles every 25 years 1750: 1775:

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 50,000; 70% male; 85% white; source of increase now immigration augmented by birth rate 1700: 250,000; 65% male; 80% white; sources of increase unchanged 1725: 600,000; 65% male; 80% white; population now doubles every 25 years 1750: 1.2 million; 60% male; 80% white; wave of immigration 1775:

Population growth in the American colonies 1625: 2,500; 90% male; 95% white; primary source of increase is immigration 1650: 50,000; 70% male; 85% white; source of increase now immigration augmented by birth rate 1700: 250,000; 65% male; 80% white; sources of increase unchanged 1725: 600,000; 65% male; 80% white; population now doubles every 25 years 1750: 1.2 million; 60% male; 80% white; wave of immigration 1775: 2.5 million; 60% male; 80% white; under 50% English

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English 1 out of 4 African (60% west; 40% southwest)

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English 1 out of 4 African (60% west; 40% southwest) 1 out of 8 Irish 1 out of 8 Scottish

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English 1 out of 4 African (60% west; 40% southwest) 1 out of 8 Irish 1 out of 8 Scottish 1 out of 9 “German”

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English 1 out of 4 African (60% west; 40% southwest) 1 out of 8 Irish 1 out of 8 Scottish 1 out of 9 “German” 1 out of 10 French

Ethnicity of the British American colonies 1 out of 2 (49%) English 1 out of 4 African (60% west; 40% southwest) 1 out of 8 Irish 1 out of 8 Scottish 1 out of 9 “German” 1 out of 10 French 1 out of 18 Spanish

Social class of European immigrants Concept of the “Atlantic Filter” The Thomas Jefferson paradox Building population pyramids

The Atlantic Filter England Elite Upper Middling Poor America Elite Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper Middling Poor America Elite Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling Poor America Elite Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor America Elite Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor 75% America Elite Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor 75% America Elite >1% Upper Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor 75% America Elite >1% Upper 7% Middling Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor 75% America Elite >1% Upper 7% Middling 26% Poor

The Atlantic Filter England Elite 2% Upper 5% Middling 18% Poor 75% America Elite >1% Upper 7% Middling 26% Poor 66%

Age and Gender demographics Median age in Europe is about 22 years Median age in America is about 17 years In Europe the median is an “above and below” In America the median is closer to “average” Sex ratio in Europe is 5:4 female to male Sex ratio in American is 5:3 male to female Social consequences

What does it all mean? Half of the 1775 population had either been born or immigrated within last generation Population of the “English” colonies is less English than ever before or will be again in the next century Added to low population density, religious diversity, sex ratios, and low age medians…. How could something explosive NOT happen?