1. American Life in the 17 th Century (that’s the 1600s)

2. Overview/ Generalizations settlers started out with crude encampments which gradually became more permanent settlements colonies shared a tie to England and a common language most colonists were farmers women: weave, cook, clean, care for children men: clear land, plant crops, butcher livestock in general, better than their life in England less class distinctions than England but regional differences begin to arise....

3. Chesapeake Chesapeake Region = around the Chesapeake Bay (Maryland, Virginia) Swampy area: disease spreads (malaria, dysentery, typhoid) Low life expectancy Many settlers were young, single men Population grows slowly at first...

4. Chesapeake... Then population starts to increase By the end of the 17 th century, VA – 59,000 most populous, MD – 30,000 3 rd most populous

5. Why does the region start to become prosperous??? TOBACCO!!!!

6. TOBACCO Cash crop for Chesapeake region Settlers push farther west for more land to cultivate Who will work the tobacco fields? – Indians? Not ideal because Indians die when exposed to European diseases – White servants? Not ideal because they only serve a temporary period before earning their freedom. – African slaves? Very expensive, but as the region expands, rely more and more on slaves

7. Indentured Servants & Headright System Indentured Servant = person who is a servant for a period of time (usually 5-7 years) in exchange for paid passage to America. Headright System = colonist is given a headright (50 or more acres) of land in exchange for paying to bring someone from Europe to the colony (this was to encourage more immigration to populate the colony).

8. Bacon’s Rebellion - 1676 Cause – Former indentured servants (now free) were frustrated by lack of available land. – These poor white settlers move farther west to Virginia’s backcountry to try to find land. – They encounter hostility from Native Americans – They are mad that the royal government is not providing protection for them against the Native Americans

9. Bacon’s Rebellion - 1676 Effect – Planter Nathaniel Bacon led rebel frontiersmen (frustrated former indentured servants) – Bacon and his followers attack the Native Americans – Bacon and his followers attack and burn the colony’s capital Jamestown – Governor Berkeley crushes the rebellion and hangs 20 men

10. Bacon’s Rebellion - 1676 Long Term Effect – A heavier reliance on slavery This is because slaves are in servitude for LIFE, not just for a specific time period. Under slavery, the white planters never have to be concerned about former servants seeking land (like the rebels led by Bacon).

11. Slavery 10 million Africans brought to New World 1619 – 1 st African slaves brought to what would become the US – 20 Africans were sold at Jamestown from a Dutch slave ship 1670 – Africans make up 7% of south colonies (this percentage will continue to increase) Most slaves come from West Coast of Africa Middle Passage = the brutal journey across the Atlantic for the slaves

12. Slavery At first, the system is similar to indentured servitude Some African slaves become free (a few even ended up owning their own slaves) But gradually this changes, and the system becomes rigid slavery for life based on race 1662 VA Slave Codes – solidifies slavery as a racial institution by outlining the laws concerning slaves (children of enslaved mother are automatically slaves) Hard physical labor for slaves working tobacco fields Slavery increases – More slaves imported from Africa – Slavery increases through natural reproduction

13. Stono Rebellion - 1739 50 South Carolina blacks along the Stono River revolted and tried to march to Florida (then held by the Spanish) Rebels did not succeed – they were stopped by the local militia

14. Southern Societal Hierarchy Rich planters (wealthy men, own most of the land, own many slaves, and dominate politically) Small planters (own small plots of land, might own 1 or 2 slaves, most white colonists fall in this category) Landless whites (often former indentured servants) White servants Black slaves

15. NEW ENGLAND Disease less rampant due to clean water, cool temps Family Units (more likely to migrate as a family vs. single men in the Chesapeake region) More natural growth (women always pregs – up to 10 or more pregnancies) Tightly knit villages and farms

16. New England Women Job is to have lots of babies In New England, a married woman gives up her property rights Woman subjects to husband (aka husband is superior, woman must obey) Can’t vote

17. New England Women Women considered morally weak Adulterers (women who cheated on their husbands) whipped in public (aka scarlet letter) Might force separated couple back together

18. New England Life - Education More likely to be educated/ literate than south Harvard 1636 – 1 st college in America Many towns have some form of public or private schools for children

19. New England Life – Town Meetings Town meetings – adult males meet and vote on community decisions Early practicing of democracy

20. New England Life – Small villages and farms Small villages and farms (cornered in by Indians, French, and Dutch)

21. New England Life - Puritanism Puritan views provide unity to the New England area Very strict religious codes Religious views shape the laws (example – no public displays of affection, etc.)

22. Half-way Covenant - 1662 Previously – only converted people were allowed to be official members of the church. These people were called the “elect” because they had a testimonial experience where they had “received God’s grace.” The church was worried that people were not being pious (religious) enough. So, they create the new “half-way” covenant– some unconverted members were allowed in church (example – children of the “elect” were allowed in) Soon, church opens up to all, even non converts

23. Salem Witch Trials Salem, Mass. 1692 Group of teenage girls claimed they were bewitched by older women in the town 20 accused “witches” hanged, and 2 dogs! Why? – Superstitions – Social and religious conditions – Scapegoating

24. New England Geography Rocky soil Not fertile, flat land for tobacco like Chesapeake Small farms Results in no high demand for slaves

25. COLONIAL SOCIETY ON THE EVE OF REVOLUTION Why did the 13 colonies revolt against England? – Distinct social, eco., & political systems – Identifiable “American” way of life – The colonies are slowly starting to see themselves as more separate from Britain

26. Melting Pot Germans, English, Native Americans, African, Scots-Irish, etc. More ethnicities/ nationalities = less allegiance to mother England Outside of NE, ½ of pop is non-English Multi-cultural nat’l identity

27. Land of opportunity? Not for African Slaves But generally for others, yes Less of an established ruling class Rags to riches is more of a possibility in America

28. Colonies seek new markets Tobacco in Maryland and VA Rice and Indigo in SC “Bread Colonies” (Grain) in the middle colonies Fishing, shipbuilding in New England Colonies want to sell these goods to not just Britain, also to French in the West Indies

29. Great Awakening Religious revival 1730s and 40s Started in Massachusetts Electrifying type of preaching, theatrical, dramatic, emotional Jonathan Edwards – “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” George Whitefield Mass movement, unites Americans

30. Freedom of the Press Zenger Trial – 1734 – John Peter Zenger had a newspaper. In that paper, he talked bad about the corrupt royal governor in New York. Zenger was charged with libel for speaking poorly of the royal governor. – Jury found Zenger NOT GUILTY – This is an important step in beginning to establish the importance of freedom of the press

31. Politics Most colonies had a 2 house legislature New England – town meetings Only white males who own property could vote in most colonies Royal governors for many colonies Not yet a democracy, but getting there