American Consciousness US History

Britain ruled the waves… Great Britain: Scotland and England+Wales since –Both Parliaments were united. 18th-century Great Britain: Age of Imperialism –GB expands through the North American and Caribbean colonies, then Canadian territories, later India.

The Colonists were British! English colonists considered themselves British. –Also--sort of--the German, Swedish, Dutch, and Irish who moved to the English North American colonies. –BUT a new American consciousness emerged out of economic, social, political circumstances.

American Consciousness Compared to Europe, America provided fluid economic and social opportunity. –Slavery was a HUGE and IMPORTANT exception. Big difference: no hereditary class distinctions based on old feudal order. New social structure emerged…

Wealthy, influential aristocracy Who? –Southern planters –Large landowners –Northern merchants Eliza Pinckney - southern Plantation owner (indigo)

Majority of population: middle and working classes Yeomen: small independent farmers Skilled artisans Shopkeepers Laborers Paul Revere - metal smith

Status of American Women Broader property rights than European women (esp. in North) –Single women could own property, run businesses. –BUT still secondary status to men Example: coverture: property of married women became property of men.

Bottom of Social ladder Slaves Native Americans

Economic Awareness The rule was mercantilism: colonies must buy from England. –Navigation Acts were strengthened officially. –BUT in reality England LOOSENED control (salutary neglect) so that the colonies could grow.

Political Consciousness Colonies were used to running themselves. Governor Appointed by King Appointed by governor Advisory CouncilLocal Assembly Elected by free, landowning males

Political Consciousness Governors were less powerful than they appeared. –Yes, they called and disbanded assemblies. –Yes, they appointed and dismissed judges. –Yes they oversaw trade. –BUT, the assembly paid his salary: power of the purse!

Political Consciousness FOR THE MOST PART, colonists thought of themselves as British and a member of a specific colony. Some argued for banding together. –Benjamin Franklin (1754): “join or die”: unite together to oppose the French and the Indians.

Political Circumstances After French-Indian War (1763), Great Britain gained –all French territory from Appalachians to Mississippi (New France) –All of Quebec

American Urge to Expand American colonists wanted to move into new territories west of Appalachian… –…already from the very beginning! –…but especially once Great Britain gained all that territory!

Great Britain afraid of Indian Problems To prevent conflicts with Indians, Proclamation of 1763: –All settlement west of Appalachians were forbidden. –Colonists: “Yeah, right….” They ignored it. This is the beginning of the parting of the ways.

“That makes me SOOOO mad!” Things the British did to irk the colonists: –Crackdown on smuggling: writ of assistance in Massachusetts. Customs officials can search any ship or building for evidence of smuggling.

“That makes me SOOOO mad!” Standing army –10,000 troops were stationed in territories to control Native Americans and former French. –It felt like an army directed at colonists. –It cost Great Britain money to station troops. Sugar Act was enacted to pay down the debt.