Colonial Society on the Eve of the Revolution 2.4

Key Features Northern merchants and Southern planters amassed great wealth. Nonetheless, colonial society did not have a hereditary aristocracy. The number of non-English settlers continued to increase. For example, Scotch-Irish and German immigrants moved into Appalachia as the Native Americans were defeated. The 13 colonies were religiously diverse. As a result of this religious pluralism, there was no single dominant Protestant denomination. Slavery was generally accepted as a labor system. The institution was legally established in all of the colonies. Functioning primarily as mercantile centers, colonial cities collected agricultural goods and distributed imported manufactured goods. Most colonial cities were ports that maintained close economic and cultural ties with England.

Mercantilism and the Navigation Acts Mercantilism was England’s dominant philosophy during the 17th & 18th centuries. The goal of mercantilism was for England to have a favorable balance of trade. To achieve this goal, the colonies were expected to export raw materials and import finished goods. Mercantilism was designed to protect English industry and promote England’s prosperity. The Navigation Acts were part of the British policy of mercantilism. They listed colonial products that could be shipped only to England. The mercantilist system led to the subordination of the colonial economy to that of the mother country. The North American colonies took advantage of Great Britain’s policy of salutary neglect to work out trade agreements so they could acquire needed products from other countries.

Women in Colonial America During the colonial period, a woman usually lost control of her property when she married. During that period, a married woman had no separate legal identity apart from her husband. During that period, single women and widows had the right to own property.

Republican Government/Republicanism Republicanism is the belief that government should be based on the consent of the governed. Republicanism inspired eighteenth-century American revolutionaries. Key principles include the following: –Sovereignty comes from the people. Representation should therefore be apportioned, based on population. –A republic is preferable to a monarchy because it would establish a small, limited government that is responsible to the people. –Widespread ownership of property is the bulwark of republican government (the thing that makes sure it won’t fail – people have something to lose). –Standing armies are dangerous and should be avoided. –Agrarian life is both desirable and virtuous.