18 th Century Colonial Development HIS 103

Interacting with Indians  Iroquois maximized dwindling power by playing French & English off each other Between 1620s-60s, lost over 90% of population Urgent need for “requickening” caused wars Economic motives introduced due to fur trade Tuscarora added to League by 1722  Southern tribes became “civilized” but still not accepted Adopted English style of dress & farming Cherokee developed written language Played Spanish & English off each other

Population Growth  Population increased tenfold: 1700: 250, : 2.5 million 75% due to natural increase  Population grew more diverse 25% due to immigration Many Protestant Irish & Germans came as redemptioners

Economic Growth  Desire for gentility sparked economic transformation in the colonies Standards of gentility derived from European court life Need mansions & luxury goods to reinforce social standing since no nobility in colonies  Merchants played lead role in establishing manufacturing & stimulating consumption of imports Southern elites based on slavery Northern elites based on trade Change to market economy confined to port cities at first

Atlantic Economy  Based on mercantilism  Navigation Act (1660) Only British ships could carry colonial trade Cash crops reserved for England alone  Staple Act (1663) Most goods had to be shipped to England first, then colonies Government collected customs duties twice

Colonial Export Destinations

The Great Awakening  Jonathan Edwards was the son and grandson of New England Congregational pastors  Revival began in Northampton, Mass. in  Began preaching in other churches with similar results  “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” – Enfield, Conn., July 8, 1741 Rev. Jonathan Edwards

The Great Awakening  Gilbert Tennant led revival in middle colonies  George Whitefield toured colonies in 1740 Oct – preached 97 sermons in 40 towns in 45 days in Mass. & Conn. Deliberately theatrical  Led to split between “New Lights” & “Old Lights”