Colonial Life from 17 th to 18 th century

Demographics 18 th century immigration from: –Germany –France –Scotland  birth rate / population growth –Abundant resources

Scots-Irish & Germans Scots-Irish #1 Euro immigrant group –Initially welcomed – buffer between Indians & PA –Anti-authority wherever they went settled Germans #2 Euro group –Seen as hard-working farmers –Clung to German traditions rather than “Anglicizing”

The American Backcountry Backcountry was most diverse section of the English colonies

Culture of colonies vs. England Immigrant influence African influence (S/Ch) Frontiersman values –“Free land” –Superiority to natives

Self-governance Religious tolerance (varied) No aristocracy –Economics > birth Social mobility –More in north than south Culture of colonies vs. England

Culture – home life Family – center of social / economic life –Traditional gender roles 90% of families farmed

Culture – home life Men relied on wives: –Work land –Raise children –Assist in business Women respected / included in family decision making (often)

NE Culture NE colonists lived longer than southerners –Better nutrition –Purer water –Cooler climate Grandparents!

Education – New England Extreme importance –“Old Deluder” laws (MA) Elem schools funded – local taxes –Highest colonial literacy rate (by far) –Colonial Primers

Higher Education Puritans believed everyone should read bible—very high literacy rate Universities to train ministers: Harvard, Yale, William & Mary

The Enlightenment Belief that reason & science can be used to obtain knowledge Rational explanations for natural phenomena World run by mathematical laws, not chance

Enlightenment in America Rise of intellectual thought in America Benjamin Franklin –Started U Penn –1 st American Philosophical Society

Education – other colonies No public education Wealthy relied on private tutors for children

Economy Mercantilist agricultural econ –Land = money Growth of communities – more professionals needed –Ministers, doctors, teachers, etc.

Economy – Transportation Rivers/waterways best options –Most cities on rivers or coast Roads not well maintained –Trading posts, taverns, postal systems

New England Economy Cold weather / bad soil –Subsistence farming –No need for slaves

New England Economy Dominant industries: –Logging –Shipbuilding –Fishing –Whaling –Rum

Middle Colonies Economy Rich soil – many farms 200+ acres Most staffed by family / hired help –Few slaves

Middle Colonies Economy Exported to Europe & Caribbean –Wheat / corn Ports grew into major cities –NYC –Philadelphia

Southern / Chesapeake Economy Farms from 100 acres to Cash crops –Tobacco / rice / indigo Naval stores

Southern / Chesapeake Economy Plantations self-sufficient Many rivers – plantations shipped directly –Only major city was Charleston

Governments in colonies Executive Branch –Royal & proprietor colonies: governors appointed –CT & RI – voters elected

Governments in colonies Legislative Branch –Bicameral legislatures –Lower house – popular vote Voted on local issues / taxes –Upper house – appointed by king or proprietor

Governments in colonies Judicial Branch –Local magistrates – minor disputes –Royal courts – major issues Presided by royal governor

Voting rights Property owning white men Religious voting restrictions –Halfway Covenant (1662 – MA) –Banned (in NE) by W&M (1689)

Salem Witch Trials 1692 Girls accused slave woman of being a witch, then accused others Everyone panicked Impossible to prove innocence If someone was accused, they’d accuse others to get lesser punishment

Salem Witch Trials hanged 1 pressed with heavy stones About 12 died in prison 200 accused

The Great Awakening

Decline in the church 18 th C -  in religious devotion: –Outside NE – 1:15 church members –NE – 1:5 church members –Sermons seen as cold & impersonal Led to a rise in Arminianism (free will, not predestination)

“Established” Churches Received tax support Anglican (C/O England) –Prosperous farmers & merchants –No bishop in colonies – slow growth –Symbol of English control

“Established” Churches Congregationalist (Puritans in MA) –Independent spirited churches –Complex doctrine – many interpretations / styles –Called “Old lights”

Great Awakening Series of Protestant revivals –Religious conversions Not unified movement –Different groups/ places/ times –NE 1730s / Virginia 1750s & 60s

Jonathan Edwards Influential evangelist “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Famous sermon scared people about God’s wrath

George Whitefield Most popular evangelist Preached outdoor sermons to 1000s in nearly every colony

George Whitefield suffered from strabismus (crossed eyes)

Religious Diversity Due to Great Awakening

Effects of Great Awakening Schism – Old Lights & New Lights NE Puritanism disintegrates  of Baptists and Methodists  of denominational colleges Evangelical principle & revivalism Need for toleration, dissent, & individual decision-making

Newspapers & publications

Poor Richard’s Almanack Published annually by Ben Franklin Made him famous

John Peter Zenger NYC newspaper publisher NY gov corruption Libel case (1735) –Cause célèbre Innocent verdict –Freedom of the press