1. Increasing Colonial Unity
AP US History
Mrs. Housenick
8/27/09

2. What factors made the colonies more unified?

3. I. The New England Confederation
Est. 1643
To defend against enemies—Indians, French, Dutch
First notable step toward colonial unity
King responds by increasing his control over area.

4. II. Hatred for the Dominion of New England
Created by royal authority in 1686— imposed by British government.
All of New England, then NY and NJ
British said it was to defend against Indians, really to make Navigation Laws more effective.
Hatred for head Sir Edmund Andros

5. III. Effects of England’s Glorious Revolution in America
Rioting against Dominion, got rid of it altogether.
Still, royal control over area had increased.
After Glorious Revolution, many rebelled against royal authority in America. Was some relaxing of the crown’s hold on colonies
SALUTARY NEGLECT
Still British presence in the colonies.

6. IV. The Great Awakening Response to dilution of Puritan faith.
2 main problems
too much clerical intellectualism
too much lay liberalism

7. Great Awakening ctnd. Religious revival 1740s and 1750s
Jonathan Edwards—”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
Used intense emotional appeals
Many “New Lights” became filled with new religious fervor

8. Great Awakening ctnd.
From Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards:
“The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked. His wrath toward you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire.”

9. Effects of the Great Awakening
Challenge to church authority, and authority in general
New wave of missionary work
Increased number and competitiveness of churches
First spontaneous mass movement of American people—showed growing sense of unity.

10. V. Colonial Politics Two-house legislatures
Self-taxation through representation
Often conflict between colonial governor and legislature
Qualifications for voting—1/2 adult males disenfranchised.
Still, more democratic than Europe

11. Evidence of Colonial Unity
Common origins
Common ways of life
Common beliefs in toleration
Goals for economic development
Desire for some degree of self-rule
All separated from England by 3000 miles!

12. Cultural and Social Developments in the Colonies
Education
--First schools really to spread religious faith
--More common in New England
--Even college education designed to ready men for ministry

13. Cultural developments ctnd.
Printing
Books not so popular, but many colonial newspapers, very popular.
Zenger case—freedom of press