1. 3-4: Colonial Society

2. Objectives
CUL 1.0 Explain how religious groups and ideas have affected American society and political life.
CUL 2.0 Explain how artistic, philosophical, and scientific ideas have developed and shaped society and institutions.
CUL 3.0 Explain how ideas about women’s rights and gender roles have affected society and politics.
CUL 4.0 Explain how different group identities, including racial, ethnic, class, and regional identities, have emerged and changed over time.

3. Key Concept
Transatlantic commercial, religious, philosophical, and political exchanges led residents of the British colonies to evolve in their political and cultural attitudes as they became increasingly tied to Britain and one another.

4. Population growth European Immigrants Africans Settled in Appalachia
English, Scots-Irish, German
Africans
20% of population
Majority in SC, VA

5. Structure of colonial society
General Characteristics
Self-Government
Democratic Institutions
House of Burgesses
Mayflower Compact
Town Meetings
Fundamental Orders
Religious Toleration
No Hereditary Aristocracy
Social Mobility
“Puritan Ethic”

6. Structure of colonial society
The Family
Men
Owned land
Dominated political, economic, and domestic life
Women
Lost property when married
No political rights
Worked in the home
Children
Large families
Played a role in household economy

7. The Economy New England Middle Colonies South
Small farming, fishing, wood products, shipbuilding
Increasingly incompatible with mercantilism
Middle Colonies
Small farming, trading
South
Export of “cash crops”
Close ties to England

8. The Economy Cities Monetary System Transportation Mercantile centers
Limited hard currency
Paper money caused inflation
Transportation
Water faster than land
Major cities emerged near good harbors and rivers
“Atlantic economy”

9. Religion Challenges with Established Churches Great Awakening
State-sponsored churches had smallest membership
Halfway Covenant
Great Awakening
Overview—religious revival
New Light Ministers—new sects
Religious Impact—emotionalism
Political Influence—challenged authority figures

10. Culture Arts and Sciences Architecture Painting Literature Science
Benjamin Franklin
Anne Bradstreet
Phillis Wheatley
James Fenimore Cooper
Science

11. Culture Education Occupations Limited, but varied by colony
Formal education solely for males
Sectarian Bible colleges
Occupations
Ministry
Physicians
Lawyers

12. Culture The Press The Zenger Case Newspapers
1725—five papers
1775—40+ papers
The Zenger Case
Jailed for libel for criticizing NY governor
Acquitted by jury who disregarded common law
Encouraged criticism of public officials

13. Culture The Enlightenment Emergence of a National Character
Use of reason to solve problems
John Locke
Natural laws
Purpose of government
Right to revolt
Emergence of a National Character
Distinctly American viewpoint
Leaving Europe
Heritage of England
Influence of the environment
Property rights
Free speech