1. Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700-1775
Cover Slide
The American Pageant
Chapter 5
Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution,
Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

2. Characteristics of 18th Century British Colonial America
Enormous population growth
Demographic changes resulted in shift in the balance of power between the colonies and England
High fertility rate
90% lived in rural areas

3. America as a Melting Pot
Most mixed population in all the world; yet mainly English
South held 90% of slaves
N. England least ethnically mixed; Mid. colonies most mixed
Population breakdown: 1790

4. Trades & Occupations in the Colonies
Artisans
Printers
John Peter Zenger (The Zenger Case)
Ben Franklin (Poor Richard’s Almanac)
Farmers and Fishermen
Clerics
Doctors
Lawyers

5. State of Religion in Colonial America
~ 1 in 7 in the North were church-goers; less in the South
Many were Non-Religious 
Religious Diversity

6. The Great Awakening, 1730s – 1740s
Origins
They called this the “Declension”
An outburst of religious revivalism in the 1730s

7. The Great Awakening -- 1730s-1740s
Started in New England and spread down the Atlantic seaboard
Role of Jonathan Edwards ( )
Role of George Whitefield ( )
“Old Light” vs. “New Light” ministers

8. Results of the Great Awakening
Founding of "new light" colleges:

9. The Impact of the Great Awakening on the American Revolution
Freedom of Worship 
Colonists pursue a “pure” colony; later a “pure” nation
America will be “a city upon a hill” –
A new sense of national identity was forming in the colonies
If we could worship on our own,…..

10. Commerce and Trade in the Colonies
Triangular Trade
Land speculation
Manufacturing
Household Economy
Increased Trade
Britain passes Molasses Act, 1733

11. Transportation in the Colonies
Inland transportation poor by road / very dangerous
Waterways most important: Population located near rivers
Taverns became important places to discuss politics; crystallized public opinion
Postal system emerged by mid 1700s

12. Culture and the Press in the Colonies
Few Americans focus on art
Phillis Wheatley (c ) a notable exception
Benjamin Franklin
The colonial press
John Peter Zenger Case (1735)

13. Seeds of Democracy Planted in Colonial America