Chapter 4, Second Half
English Bill of Rights – makes gov’t more representative Enlightenment Great Awakening Size/population growth Economic growth
Size ◦ Indian depopulation, disease, dislocation, treaties Population ◦ mostly high birthrate, also continued immigration Econ. Growth ◦ huge labor force, diversification, trade Cultural/intellectual ideas ◦ connection w/ Britain Political ◦ aftermath of Glorious Rev., back to salutary neglect/mercantilism
Ohio Valley ◦ VA and PA send settlers, make claims ◦ Leads to growing tension b/w Britain, France Georgia ◦ Founded by James Oglethorpe ◦ Reason - haven for debtors ◦ Bonus reason – buffer zone b/w Florida & SC
Who settled in Georgia? ◦ Mostly German, Swiss, Scottish immigrants ◦ debtors ◦ Jews ◦ Very diverse, inclusive
Social structure – egalitarian or elitist? ◦ Land holdings limited ◦ Slavery banned ◦ Planned as a utopian experiment (no drinking, etc) Why did the Georgia experiment fail? ◦ Not many debtors came ◦ Land limits, slavery restrictions discouraged settlement - Rice cult. more profitable w/ slavery -Restrictions eased
How did colonial legislatures operate? ◦ After 1689, they led in drafting laws (not governor) ◦ Only part of colonial gov’ts subject to the people ◦ Exerted influence over governors by controlling revenues, salaries ◦ Most colonies were fairly self-governing up until 1750s Royal Gov Gov Council Colonial Assembly
Who served in legislatures? ◦ Typically the wealthy (top 2%) ◦ Lesser gentry as Justices of the Peace Why? ◦ Most colonies outside NE required large landholdings to run for office (1,000 acres to run, most farms acres) ◦ Only rich could afford to live on small legislator’s salary ◦ 80% of population in most colonies couldn’t hold office
Who was eligible to vote? ◦ Most white males (about 60%): 7 colonies had small landowning requirements Others – just had to own a home ◦ In England, only 1/3 could vote ◦ In Ireland, only 10% could vote ◦ No women ◦ No nonwhites (black, Indian) Voter turnout: ◦ Usually low in rural places (long travel distances) ◦ More competitive in northern cities
Ideals: ◦ Reason as basis of knowledge Key figures in colonies: ◦ Ben Franklin (Philadelphia) ◦ Thomas Jefferson (rural VA) Legacy of Enlightenment: ◦ Question est. political order ◦ Led to Am. Rev.
What was it? Religious revival of 1730s thru 1770s (peak in 1740s) First mass social movement in American history Why did it occur? The 1700s saw a decline in religious devotion Outside of NE, 1 in 15 people was a member of a church NE suffered a decline in church attendance (1:5 were members) Church sermons were seen by many as “cold” & impersonal and-american-independence.html and-american-independence.html
Ideals: ◦ Human nature corrupt, but Salvation thru repentance ◦ Regular folks can get saved w/o a minister ◦ Highly emotional and personal ◦ Led to a rise in Arminianism (free will, not predestination) Key figures: ◦ George Whitefield ◦ Jonathan Edwards – “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Spider above the fire ◦ Gilbert Tennent
Religious effects: ◦ Split b/w Old Lights & New Lights ◦ Weakening of Anglican, Quaker, Pilgrim/Puritan churches (Congregationalists), Undermined the older clergy ◦ Rise of Baptists, Presbyterians – increased “competitiveness” of American churches ◦ Expanded roles for women in churches ◦ Non-whites into Christianity – esp. black pop. – reached out to Indians and slaves ◦ Revivals resulted in changed behaviors (decrease in card-playing, drunkenness, increase in church attendance, Bible study) ◦ Rejection of cold rationalism of Puritanism and Anglicanism and more reliance on the "heart" rather than the "head."
Colleges est. to break from “Old Light” influence (Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth) Strong democratic component– people had more choice and individualism in religion (a highly American trait) Empowered ordinary people to go against est. authority – prelude to Am. Rev.