The three colonial sections: One society or three?

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New England Overview   New England’s colonial society was based on religious standing. The Puritans grew increasingly intolerant of dissenters who challenged the Puritans’ belief in the connection between religion and government.  New England colonies used town meetings (an “Athenian” direct democracy model) in the operation of government. The Mayflower Compact was the Pilgrims’ attempt to establish a direct democracy.

Colonies Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New Hampshire New England Colonies Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island New Hampshire Resources/Geography Natural Harbors Coastline for fishing and whaling – key to Triangular Trade with Europe and Africa Wood/Trees for Shipbuilding and Lumber

New England Social Merchants – top of the social class   Slavery/Indentured Servitude Mostly indentured servants – little need for slave labor due to the economy

New England Religion -Puritan dominant religion -Massachusetts- intolerant of other religions      -Rhode Island was the exception. It was founded by religious dissenters, people who were tolerant of all religions   Ethnic groups “Ethnically homogeneous” -Mostly English descent

Social/Political Organization New England Social/Political Organization Pilgrims (Mass.)– Mayflower Compact – 1st self-government plan in colonies, plan for direct democracy Puritans set up a theocracy in MA– church and government function as one government

New England Weaknesses Salem Witch Trials (1692): Mass. takes religion to a new level when it hangs suspected witches   Subsistence farming – crops grown to survive, not sell for profit

Middle Colonies Overview The middle colonies were home to multiple religious groups that generally believed in religious tolerance, including Quakers in Pennsylvania, Huguenots and Jews in New York, and Presbyterians in New Jersey.    These colonies had more flexible social structures and began to develop a middle class of skilled artisans, entrepreneurs, and small farmers.  The middle colonies incorporated a number of democratic principles that reflected the basic rights of Englishmen.

Middle Colonies Colonies Pennsylvania New York Delaware New Jersey Resources/Geography 3 Rivers: Delaware, Susquehanna, and Hudson- allowed for trade/travel Resources cont: Fertile soil & good climate to help grow “cash crops” – crops sold for profit, like wheat Cities: Philadelphia and NYC – hub for commerce & finance, filled with capitalists and entrepreneurs

Middle Colonies Slavery/Indentured Servitude Some slavery in NY – but mostly depended on indentured servants (workers who earn freedom after a set amount of time) Social/Political Organization: Political: Representative assembly in PA Social: “Ruling” class mixture of wealthy entrepreneurs, capitalists, and landowning farmers Quakers powerful in PA

Religious/Ethnic Groups Middle Colonies Religious/Ethnic Groups Most ethnically diverse region! PA – settlers from all over Europe due to Quakers toleration NY – originally Dutch colony, filled with French Huguenots. Tolerant of all religions

Middle Colonies Strengths Treaty of Shackamaxon – PA and Native Americans – peaceful relations for 70 years! Diversity in every area

Southern Colonies Overview   Southern Colonies Overview Virginia and the other Southern colonies had a social structure based on family status and the ownership of land.    Large landowners in the eastern lowlands dominated colonial government (legislatures) and society and maintained an allegiance to the Church of England and closer social ties to England than did those in the other colonies.  In the mountains and valleys further inland, however, society was characterized by small-scale subsistence farmers, hunters, and traders of Scots-Irish and English descent.

Colonies Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Southern Colonies Colonies Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Resources/Geography Good soil – long growing seasons for cash crops – rice, tobacco, and indigo Rivers and coastline to transport crops

Southern colonies Slavery/indentured servitude By 1650s, relying more on slavery to meet labor needs on plantations Social/Political Organization In VA House of Burgesses (1619) – 1st government assembly in the colonies

Strict class structure Southern colonies Strict class structure Wealthy landowners/elite- “the Cavaliers” Small landowners Landless whites Slaves Religion Some diversity in Maryland with Maryland Toleration Act – freedom to all religions, but Church of England (Anglican) official religion in most colonies

Southern colonies Ethnic Groups Some diversity in NC, VA, and GA but overall mostly English Weaknesses Bacon’s Rebellion – 1676 - western Virginia fights with eastern Virginia over lack of protection of western Virginia from Nat. Americans Stono Rebellion – 1739 – SC - slave rebellion – killed 20 whites

  Summary The colonies had distinctive social characteristics, determined in part by the origins of the colonists, their religions, their occupations, and their ancestors.