Diversity, Urban Life, and Ideals in the Northern Society.

The Northern colonies began to prosper more than their mother colony between 1650 and How did this begin to undermine the ideals of mercantilism? Mercantilism was meant to benefit the mother colony, so when the colonies were doing better economically then Britain, they became more independent. Why did the North develop into a different “landscape” from that of the Southern plantations? Northern soil was not as fertile and therefore required a more diverse approach to farming. Crops such as corn and wheat were easier to grow, and livestock like cattle and hogs were raised.

Industries were very diverse in the North. They ground wheat and corn, harvested fish and lumber, and produced iron. Also, the Navigation Acts led to the Northern colonies producing 1/3 rd of all British ships.

Prosperity in the North led to the growth of port cities. The South only had Charles Town, SC, while the North had Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Philly actually became the 2 nd largest city in the British empire! Philadelphia was laid out in a gridlike pattern with open parks and squares for public use. Police patrols, paved streets, and whale-oil lamps made Philly the most sophisticated city in the colonies of North America. Germans and Scots-Irish were among the variety of immigrants in the North during the 17 th and 18 th century. These groups brought with them a diversity of skills and culture. Immigrants were not always received well by the English speaking colonists, but many found ways to fit into the melting pot that America was becoming. Over time the immigrants would become disliked more, especially with the rise of industrialism.

Why was slavery not as popular in the North as it was in the South? Because of the crops raised in the North. Corn and wheat did not require as much labor. This is not to say slavery did not exist in New England and the Middle colonies, but slaves were treated better in the North. They could sue and be sued, as well as have the right to an appeal in a higher court. But, much like the South, slaves lived a harsh lifestyle and were restricted from carrying weapons and laws did not protect them from cruel treatment.

Women in the Northern colonies had several jobs around the house while having very few legal rights. Women could not vote, enter into contracts, buy or sell property, or keep wages if they worked outside the home. “Wives are part of the House and Family, and ought to be under a Husband’s Government: they should Obey their own Husbands.” - Puritan Clergymen These restrictions of women in the Puritan society led to one of America’s strangest events in history…

In February 1692, two girls began having hysterical fits. Upon investigation the girls accused a West Indian slave of casting a spell on them. These accusations spiraled out of control leading to the death of 19 convicted “witches,” by hanging as well as an 80 year old man being crushed to death by heavy stones.

Cotton Mather was a prominent reverend in the Puritan community who supported the idea of spectral evidence, or evidence based on ghosts. The accused were generally of lower class, considered outsiders, or exhibited “odd” behavior The Salem Witch trials was brought on by several stress factors at the time. What were some of these factors? The new charter granted to Massachusetts after 1689 undercut Puritan dominance in the region. Native American attacks kept the Puritans in constant fear and paranoia. Immigrants and population growth led to social tensions. And finally, religious fanaticism coupled with the constraints placed on women led to women using the church as a forum for public outcry.

The discoveries of the European Renaissance were very influential in the colonies as news spread of the ideals of Locke, and the discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo, and Newton. The way colonists viewed the world was challenged. What institution really came under fire as these ideas spread? The church and its religious doctrine came under question with the ideas of the scientific method and the sun- centered universe.

Ben Franklin was a celebrity of the Enlightenment. He was famous in both America and Europe, especially in France.

Politics were also affected by the Enlightenment. Thomas Jefferson deduced that individuals had “natural” rights which governments must respect. These political ideals used reason instead of previous doctrines, and ultimately led towards our greatest document in American history. The Declaration of Independence, which began with “We the people”

In the mid-1700’s, Puritan worship was in decline. Why? The new charter of 1691 forced religious toleration on Puritan Massachusetts and the prosperity of merchants broke away from the ideals of conservative lifestyles. Jonathan Edwards of Northampton, MA began to revive the intensity and commitment of the original Puritan vision through his emotional sermons.

As the Great Awakening spread, more people joined Christian churches and branched away from the Puritan authority. New branches of religion such as Baptist and Methodist appeared, and even Native Americans and Africans joined the religious fervor.

The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening had a profound effect on the colonial society. Traditional authority was questioned and individualism was valued. These movements would begin the rumblings of freedom amongst the colonists which would later erupt into a want for freedom and individuality as a nation. These ideals would lead to the declaration of a nation for independence!

Homework Assignment: Chapter 3.4 SPNotes (85-89) Anyone who still has to take the Ch2 test must do so by Friday! Missing HW is still out there! Leave the class better than you found it. Have a great day!