1. The Growth of Colonial America
1.2 Early Immigrants
The Growth of Colonial America

2. A Diverse Society Immigrants:
Between hundreds of thousands of immigrants settled in America.
Immigration was driven by:
Push factors: fleeing religious wars, escaping taxes, poor harvests, discrimination
Pull Factors: Religious and political freedom (to a point!), economic opportunities.

3. Women: Women did not have equal rights in the new colonies.
Married women could not
Own property
Make contracts
Be the guardians of their children

4. Enslaved Africans:
1775: 540,000 “Christian Servants” in the 13 colonies (20% of pop.)
Slave Codes-
Could not… own property or receive an education, testify against whites, or move freely.

5. The Enlightenment:
Thinkers in Europe believed the world operated by natural laws of reason and logic.
John Locke- “Natural Rights”- Life, Liberty, Property. Also believed society could be improved.
Rousseau- “Social Contract”- People give the government permission to rule.
Montesquieu- “Three Branches of government” and “Checks and Balances”. Prevents the government from becoming too powerful.

6. The Great Awakening: A resurgence of religion.
New religions gained power: Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists
This undermined the people’s dependence on traditional sources of authority.

7. Assignment:
Brainstorm 10 words that YOU believe accurately describes what an American is.
These could be descriptors (i.e. fat, pretty, lazy), or could be other words which you associate with American society (i.e. fast-food, reality TV)
OUTSIDE OF CLASS interview 10 people (FIVE must be adults). Ask each of them the following question:
Using one word describe America.
Come with a complete list of 20 words for tomorrow’s activity.