Settling the Backcountry  Extended through the western part of most colonies  Dense forests  Rushing streams  Appalachian Mountains  Clashes with Native Americans over trade and land  Colonists resented government control

What were the Scots-Irish like?  Most settlers in backcountry had been forced west  Troubled region/history  Hostile environment gave SI survival skills that were useful in the Backcountry  Suffered drought, rent increases, and persecution by Church  Clans banded together and were extremely protective

What did the Scots-Irish Bring?  Unique culture  American Country Music and Bluegrass  Track and Field sports events  Democracy and freedom  Loyalty and Warrior ethic influenced military

Colonial Life WomenMen Cooked, churned butter, made soap, candles, and clothes Worked outside Tended the gardenPlanted, raised, and harvested crops Looked after farm animalsCared for livestock and butchered meat Ran inns or other businessesCut trees and chopped wood for fires A few practiced tradesCould vote Could not voteCould own land Could not own property without husband’s permission Could preach Money earned by women belonged to husband Practiced trades

Life of the Young  American families were large  New England- 6 to 8 children  More children = more farm workers  Age 13- boys became apprentices Would receive education, food, clothing, lodging in exchange for work 4-7 years for free then could work for wages or start own business  Girls learned to sew and other household skills  Age 13- girls sent away to learn special skills Weaving Cheese making

Education and Literacy  American Colonies had a higher rate of literacy than England New England- 80% of white men were literate England- 60% of white men were literate Middle Colonies- 65% Southern- 50%  Most thought it was more important for men to be educated  ½ as many women were literate in each region  Illegal to teach enslaved Africans to read Eliza Lucas taught enslaved children  Children were taught to read so that they could understand the Bible  New England had free public schools

Africans in New England  Only few slaves in New England  only 2% of the population  No large plantations  Slaves House Servants Cooks Gardeners Stablehands Were hired out to work in shops or warehouses  Could sometimes keep portion of wages  Could possibly buy their freedom

Africans in New England  New England had more free blacks than any other region  Merchants, sailors, printers, carpenters, or landowners  Still were not treated as equals

African Americans in the Cities  Economy did not depend on slave labor  1750 only 7% of population was enslaved (most lived in cities) Compared to Southern colonies 40%  New York City was a big part of the slave trade Manual laborers Servants Drivers Assistants Built roads, houses, and public buildings

Racial Tension in New York City  Lives of Slaves were harsh  Fears of slave revolt increased  group of slaves rebelled Burned several buildings Slaves faced defeat, torture, and death Did not prevent further rebellions  Quakers condemned slavery Said it was immoral and against Christian principles Worked to prevent the slave trade from entering Pennsylvania

The Search for Cheap Labor Percentage of Population Year What was causing this trend in the Southern Colonies?

Middle Passage

Planters Turn to Slavery  First- tried Native Americans Died of diseases Escaped into forests  Turned to African Americans  By more than 235,000 living in America  68% were in the Southern Colonies  40% of the South’s population  As population increase, more laws arose Were checked for passes when traveling Living areas were checked for weapons Etc

Living in Slavery  slaves per overseer  Worked for 15 hours a day during peak seasons  Whipped, tortured, and mutilated if not doing work well  Small living areas and very little food  Kept customs and beliefs alive! Music Dance Stories Religion

Expansion of Plantations Brings Resistance  Growing rice required great skill African Americans had these skills from certain areas in Africa  Rice grew in lowlands  Indigo was grown on higher ground Introduced by Eliza Lucas

The Enslaved Fight Back  Worked slowly  Damaged goods  Deliberately carried out orders in the wrong way  Pretended not to understand directions

The Stono Rebellion  1739  20 slaves killed planters and marched south  Chanting “Liberty”  Called out for others to join them as they marched  Up to 100 total  7 plantations were burned and 20 whites were killed  Fighting broke out Many slaves died Those captured were executed  Led to stricter rules on slaves Needed permission to leave plantations Illegal to meet with free blacks

Religious Revival  Both movements (Great Awakening and Enlightenment) offered people ways of changing themselves and their world  The Great Awakening Inside emotions were more important than outward actions Jonathan Edwards promised that everyone could be saved- attracted many crowds Offered hope for every person Many argued about religious practices The established church grew weaker

Religion and Social Change  In the South… The Great Awakening threatened the social system by focusing on equality African Americans were baptized Baptist congregations welcomed African Americans and Native Americans Allowed slaves to preach and women to speak in church Other ministers taught Christianity and reading to Native Americans and African Americans

The Great Awakening  Helped to develop American identity by encouraging a belief in spiritual equality  Inspired religious debate, which increased religious diversity  Encouraged colonists to challenge authority and question religious practices  It became easier to challenge and question other social and political traditions  Laid the groundwork for the revolt against British power

The Enlightenment  Enlightenment emphasized human reason and science as the path to knowledge  Benjamin Franklin was an important figure  Challenged social practices  Valued equality and justice  Began in Europe but soon influenced American colonists

The Enlightenment  John Locke Challenged the belief that kings had God-given powers Citizens had the right to change their government if it does not protect their natural rights Natural Rights  Life  Liberty  Property  Belief in Progress Citizens can improve society and the world Optimistic hope for future  Sparked political debate in colonies  Began to see British government as a threat to their rights and freedoms