Transcript Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Colonial Society on the eve of
Revolution 1700-1775
Chapter Theme
• Compared with its 17th century counterpart, 18th
century colonial society became more complex and
hierarchical, more ethnically and religiously diverse,
and more economically and politically developed.
• Colonial culture, while still limited, took distinct
American qualities in such areas as evangelical
religion, education, press freedom and selfgovernment.
• Major cities in colonial America were Boston,
Philadelphia, New York and Charleston.
• During the colonial era English, African, French, and
Indians created new societies out of diverse ethnic
groups in America.
• The number of poor people in the colonies was less
than that in Europe.
Introduction
• One of the reasons behind the 13 colonies
quest for independence was the fact that
they had developed a distinctive social,
economic, racial way of life and the fact
that they had developed an appearance of
a recognizable American way of life.
Sec. 1-Conquest by the Cradle
• Outstanding feature of the
colonies was its lusty
population growth.
• By 1775, 2.5mil lived in
colonies-1/2 slaves
• In 1700 there were 20
English to 1 American
colonists, by 1775 it was
down to 3 to 1.
• This resulted in a
momentous shift in the
balance of power between
the colonies and G.B.
Sec. 2- A Mingling of the Races
• Germans made up 6% of pop; they came fleeing
religious persecution, economic oppression, and
ravages of war-settled mostly in Penn-this group
kept their religion, language and customs.
• Scot-Irish made up 7% of the pop; settled in Pennthey had no love lost for the British or any other
gov’t, fiercely, independent, pugnacious, lawless,
brought the secret of distilling w/them. When
establishing a community the first thing they built
was a church. (majority Roman Catholic)
• Other groups included, French Huguenots, Welsh,
Dutch, Swedes, Jews, Irish, Swiss, & Scots
Highlanders.
Sec. 3-The Structure of Colonial
Society
• On the eve of the revolution social and economic
mobility decreased for some segments of the
populations partly because some merchants
made huge profits as military suppliers.
• Wealthy people began to enjoy a higher status
in the community (they liked this); class
distinction became more obvious.
• Some colonial legislatures attempted to restrict
the importation of slaves, but the British vetoed
the idea.
Sec. 4-Clerics, Physicians, Jurists
• Most honored profession
was the Christian ministry
• Doctors were poorly
trained and not highly
esteemed; barber would do
the work if doc was not
available.
• Epidemics were a constant
nightmare; (esp., small
pox, diphtheria)
• Lawyers were seen as
noisy windbags. People
take care of most of their
own legal affairs.
Sec. 5-Workday America
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As was the leading industry-90% of
pops were farmers
Tobacco was leading crop in Maryland
and Virginia
Wheat was harvested in middle
colonies(N.Y. exported 50 thousand
barrels)
Colonies had the highest standard of
living, fishing, commerce (N.Y. &
Penn. Esp.)
Items manufactured were: rum,
lumber, iron, beaver hats
Colonies wanted to trade w/other
countries but G.B. did not want them
to trade w/other countries
Sec. 5-Con’t
• Colonies traded
w/French West IndiesG.B. passed the
Molasses Act in order
to try and stop this
trade, but colonists
turned to bribery, and
smuggling.
• Why did they resort to
this? Colonies needed
$ in order to buy things
they needed from
England.
Sec.6-Horse Power and Sail Power
• Taverns sprung up
along the way of
roadways, and
rivers.
• Taverns were a
democratic place, all
social class
congregated there;
information was
exchanged.
• Roads, if any
available, were very
bad.
• River travel was
slow and
undependable, but
as time went on
things did get
better.
• Mid-1700 mail
service available,
but expensive
unreliable and
infrequent.
Great Awakening
Sec. 7-Dominant Denominations
• English officials tried to “establish” the
Church of England in the colonies--because
they felt the church would act as a major
prop for kingly authority.
• Church of England or Anglican Church was
the official church in Georgia, N & S.
Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and part of N.Y.
• Colonies had 2 tax supported Churches they
were the Congregational and Anglican.
Sec.7-(Con’t)
• The influential Congressional Church
which had grown out of the Puritan
Church was formally established in all
the New England colonies, except for
Rhode Island.
• The Anglican clergy supported the king
of England while the Presbyterian and
Congregational ministers in general
supported the revolutionary cause.
Sec. 8 The Great Awakening
• Liberal ideas began to challenge the old time
religion.
• Some worshipers now proclaimed that
humans were not necessarily predestined to
damnation and might save themselves by
good works.
• Armenians preached that individual free will,
not divine decree, determined a person’s
eternal fate.
• Pressured by these “heresies,” a few
churches grudgingly conceded that spiritual
conversion was not necessary for church
membership.
Sec. 8-(Con’t)
• The stage was set for a
rousing religious revival.
• It was begun by Jonathan
Edwards, proclaimed the
folly of believing in salvation
through good works;
instead affirmed the need
for complete dependence
on God’s grace.
• Famous sermon “Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry
God.”
Sec. 8-(Con’t)
• George Whitefield was a
great orator who
introduced a different style
of evangelical preaching;
his message was one of
human helplessness &
divine omnipotence
(unlimited authority or
influence)
• 100s “saved” during his
sermons
• Moved even the thrift
minded Benjamin Franklin
give his all to the
collection plate.
Sec. 8-(Con’t)
• The orthodox clergymen known as “old lights” were
deeply skeptical of the emotionalism and theatrical
antics of the revivalists.
• The “new light” ministers defended the Awakening for
its role in revitalizing American religion; they delivered
intensely emotional sermons.
• Consequences of the G.A.--1) split colonial churches
into several competing denominations, 2) undermined
the prestige of the learned clergy in the colonies 3)
was the first spontaneous mass movement of the
American people 4) led to the founding of Princeton,
Dartmouth, and Rutgers colleges.
Sec. 9-Schools and Colleges
• The colonies slowly broke the
old English ideas that
education was just for the
aristocratic few.
• Puritan New England stressed
the need for education; they
had to be able to read the
Bible.
• Education was primarily for
boys; primary and Secondary
schools were estab.
• Colleges stressed religion and
the classical languages.
• 9 local colleges were estab.
During the colonial era.
Sec. 10-A Provincial Culture
• When it came to
culture, Americans
were still in thrall to
European tastes.
• John Trumbull had
to travel to London
to pursue his
ambitions.
• Charles Willson
Peale was known for
his portraits of
George Washington,
he ran a museum,
stuffed birds, and
practiced dentistry.
• Washington,
Lafayette,
and Tilghman
at Yorktown
Charles
Willson Peale
(1741-1827)
• John Singleton Copley went
to England to complete his
training, he was a Loyalist
during the war.
The death of major Francis Pierson in the battle of Jersey in 1781.
Sec. 10-(Con’t)
• Architecture was
largely imported from
the Old World
• Modified to meet the
peculiar climate and
religious conditions of
the New World.
• Log cabins came from
the Sweden.
• The pre-revolutionary
Georgian style was
introduced in 1720
Sec. 10-(Con’t)
• Colonial literature was
undistinguished with
one noteworthy
exception.
• Phillis Wheatley a
slave girl brought to
Boston, was taken to
England at age 20
where she published a
book of verse and later
other poems.
• Amazing that despite
her background she
was able to succeed.
Sec. 10-(Con’t)
• Benjamin Franklin
was considered the
“first civilized”
American.
• As a teacher of both
old and young, he
had an incalculable
influence in shaping
the American
character.
Sec. 11-Pioneer Presses
• Hand-operated presses
cranked out pamphlets,
leaflets, and journals.
• Newspapers proved to
be a powerful agency
for airing colonial
grievances and rallying
opposition to British
control.
• John Paul Zenger's
newspaper had
assailed the corrupt
royal governor.
Charged w/seditious
libel, Zenger the
accused was hauled
into court.
• The jury’s decision in
the case of John Paul
Zenger, a newspaper
printer, was
significant because it
pointed the way to
open public
discussion.
The burning of Zenger’s
New York Weekly Journal
Sec. 12 The Great Game of Politics
• By 1775, 8 of the 13 colonies had royal
governors (appointed by the king.)
• 3—Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware were
under proprietors who themselves choose their
governor.
• 2–-Connecticut and Rhode Island elected their
own governors under self-governing charters.
• Colonial legislatures were often able to bend the
power of the governors to their will because they
controlled taxes & expenditures that paid the
governors salaries.
Sec. 13 Colonial Folkways
• Everyday life in colonial days was drab and
tedious.
• For most people the labor was heavy and
constant.
• Amusement was eagerly pursued where time and
custom permitted.
• By the mid-18th century, North American colonies
shared all the following similarities: 1) Protestant
in religion 2) basically English in language 3) same
degree of ethnic and religious toleration and 4)
opportunity for social mobility.