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Published byPolly Shepherd Modified over 9 years ago
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Colonial Life from 17 th to 18 th century
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Demographics 18 th century immigration from: –Germany –France –Scotland birth rate / population growth –Abundant resources
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Scots-Irish & Germans Scots-Irish #1 Euro immigrant group –Initially welcomed – buffer between Indians & PA –Anti-authority wherever they went settled Germans #2 Euro group –Seen as hard-working farmers –Clung to German traditions rather than “Anglicizing”
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The American Backcountry Backcountry was most diverse section of the English colonies
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Culture of colonies vs. England Immigrant influence African influence (S/Ch) Frontiersman values –“Free land” –Superiority to natives
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Self-governance Religious tolerance (varied) No aristocracy –Economics > birth Social mobility –More in north than south Culture of colonies vs. England
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Culture – home life Family – center of social / economic life –Traditional gender roles 90% of families farmed
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Culture – home life Men relied on wives: –Work land –Raise children –Assist in business Women respected / included in family decision making (often)
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NE Culture NE colonists lived longer than southerners –Better nutrition –Purer water –Cooler climate Grandparents!
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Education – New England Extreme importance –“Old Deluder” laws (MA) Elem schools funded – local taxes –Highest colonial literacy rate (by far) –Colonial Primers
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Higher Education Puritans believed everyone should read bible—very high literacy rate Universities to train ministers: Harvard, Yale, William & Mary
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The Enlightenment Belief that reason & science can be used to obtain knowledge Rational explanations for natural phenomena World run by mathematical laws, not chance
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Enlightenment in America Rise of intellectual thought in America Benjamin Franklin –Started U Penn –1 st American Philosophical Society
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Education – other colonies No public education Wealthy relied on private tutors for children
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Economy Mercantilist agricultural econ –Land = money Growth of communities – more professionals needed –Ministers, doctors, teachers, etc.
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Economy – Transportation Rivers/waterways best options –Most cities on rivers or coast Roads not well maintained –Trading posts, taverns, postal systems
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New England Economy Cold weather / bad soil –Subsistence farming –No need for slaves
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New England Economy Dominant industries: –Logging –Shipbuilding –Fishing –Whaling –Rum
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Middle Colonies Economy Rich soil – many farms 200+ acres Most staffed by family / hired help –Few slaves
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Middle Colonies Economy Exported to Europe & Caribbean –Wheat / corn Ports grew into major cities –NYC –Philadelphia
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Southern / Chesapeake Economy Farms from 100 acres to 2000+ Cash crops –Tobacco / rice / indigo Naval stores
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Southern / Chesapeake Economy Plantations self-sufficient Many rivers – plantations shipped directly –Only major city was Charleston
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Governments in colonies Executive Branch –Royal & proprietor colonies: governors appointed –CT & RI – voters elected
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Governments in colonies Legislative Branch –Bicameral legislatures –Lower house – popular vote Voted on local issues / taxes –Upper house – appointed by king or proprietor
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Governments in colonies Judicial Branch –Local magistrates – minor disputes –Royal courts – major issues Presided by royal governor
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Voting rights Property owning white men Religious voting restrictions –Halfway Covenant (1662 – MA) –Banned (in NE) by W&M (1689)
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Salem Witch Trials 1692 Girls accused slave woman of being a witch, then accused others Everyone panicked Impossible to prove innocence If someone was accused, they’d accuse others to get lesser punishment
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Salem Witch Trials 1692 19 hanged 1 pressed with heavy stones About 12 died in prison 200 accused
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The Great Awakening
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Decline in the church 18 th C - in religious devotion: –Outside NE – 1:15 church members –NE – 1:5 church members –Sermons seen as cold & impersonal Led to a rise in Arminianism (free will, not predestination)
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“Established” Churches Received tax support Anglican (C/O England) –Prosperous farmers & merchants –No bishop in colonies – slow growth –Symbol of English control
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“Established” Churches Congregationalist (Puritans in MA) –Independent spirited churches –Complex doctrine – many interpretations / styles –Called “Old lights”
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Great Awakening Series of Protestant revivals –Religious conversions Not unified movement –Different groups/ places/ times –NE 1730s / Virginia 1750s & 60s
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Jonathan Edwards Influential evangelist “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Famous sermon scared people about God’s wrath
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George Whitefield Most popular evangelist Preached outdoor sermons to 1000s in nearly every colony
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George Whitefield suffered from strabismus (crossed eyes)
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Religious Diversity Due to Great Awakening
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Effects of Great Awakening Schism – Old Lights & New Lights NE Puritanism disintegrates of Baptists and Methodists of denominational colleges Evangelical principle & revivalism Need for toleration, dissent, & individual decision-making
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Newspapers & publications
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Poor Richard’s Almanack Published annually by Ben Franklin 1732-58 Made him famous
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John Peter Zenger NYC newspaper publisher NY gov corruption Libel case (1735) –Cause célèbre Innocent verdict –Freedom of the press
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