1. Chapter 4, Lessons 3 Life in the American Colonies (1607-1770)

2. Lesson 3 – Culture and Society
Life in the Colonies
s  population grew from 250,000 to 2.5 million.
slaves grew from 28,000 to 500,000.
Increased immigration & large family sizes accounted for this growth

3. Lesson 3 – Culture and Society
Family Roles
Men were the head of the household.
Sons worked for family, became indentured servants, or apprentices.
Women ran the house & cared for children, also assisted on family farms.
Colonists valued education in New England, 85% of men and 50% of women were literate.

4. Lesson 3 – Culture and Society
Great Awakening:
1730s & 1740s – a revival of faith and religion swept through colonies.
Preachers such as Jonathan Edwards & George Whitfield gave sermons calling for stronger faith.
Inspired greater religious freedom in the colonies.

5. Lesson 3 – Culture and Society
The Enlightenment:
Mid 1700s – started in Europe, spread to America.
Spread the idea that knowledge, reason, & science could improve society.
Increased interest in science in the Colonies
Also promoted freedom of thought and expression, a belief in equality, and the idea of popular govt. (govt. by the people).

6. Lesson 3 – Culture and Society
Ideas of Freedom
Colonial newspapers often faced government censorship.
1733 – John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New-York Weekly Journal, arrested and put on trial for accusing NY’s governor of corruption.
Jury found him not guilty & case seen as a key moment in the development of freedom of press.