Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution

1770 – 1775 By: Mr. Michael R. Kahoe Del Valle High School

Conquest by the Cradle

• • • • • •

American population growth spurred on rebellion

1700 – 300,000 (20,000 black) – 20 English subjects for every 1 colonist 1775 – 2.5 mil (1/2 mil black) – England only had a 3 to 1 pop. advantage – Average age of only 16!

Biggest colonies: Virginia, Mass., Penn., NC, MD Biggest cities: Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Charleston 90% lived in rural areas

A Mingling of Races

• Colonial America was a melting pot –

Germans

in Pennsylvania • 6% of total pop. by 1775 • No loyalty to England • Clung to their language and customs • Primarily Lutheran –

Scots-Irish

• 7% of pop.

• Settled in Penn. and south along the foothills of the Allegheny Mts.

• Frontiersmen, distilled whiskey • Clashed with the Indians • Not fond of England or any gov.

• Andrew Jackson

A Mingling of Races

• Pop. of 13 colonies was the most mixed of anywhere in the world

Structure of Colonial Society

• • • • • • No nobility High level of social mobility – Even for incoming indentured servants – Growing elite class (few) Few poor Available land was declining – Plots were being subdivided Great planters growing more powerful in the South Many colonists called for an end of importation of slavery

Clerics, Physicians, & Jurists

• • • • Christian ministers were the most honored profession Doctors were badly trained – Bloodletting was widely used – Barbers were a good substitute for the doctor Smallpox epidemics were common Lawyers weren’t highly regarded

Workaday America

• • • • Agriculture was the leading industry – 90% farmed – Tobacco, cotton, rice in the South – Grain in the middle colonies Fishing and shipbuilding took place up North Skilled craftsmen were scarce – Looked to England for manufactured goods By 1700s colonists began to look for other markets to sell beside England

Colonial Economy

Triangular Trade Route

Horsepower & Sailpower

• • • • Few roads in America during the 1700s – The dirt thoroughfares were dangerous to travel Travel along waterways was more pleasant and cheap Taverns – mix of social classes – Information was passed, gossip, new ideas Colonial postal system was unreliable and slow

Dominant Denominations

• Two major tax-supported religions 18 th Colonial America –

Anglican

: Church of England • Found in the South and N.Y.

• King was the head of authority • Less demanding • No bishop in America –

Congregational

• Found in New England colonies • Grown from Puritan church • More demanding century

The Great Awakening

• • Religious fervor was fading during the 1700s. It was caused by: – Elaborate theological doctrines – Easing of membership constraints New ideas begin to challenge longstanding traditions – Good works can save you from damnation!

–

Jacobus Arminius

ones fate – preached that free will determined

Great Awakening

• •

Great Awakening

– was a religious revival of the 1730s and 1740s

Jonathan Edwards

– influencial preacher from Northampton, Mass.

– Spoke of a complete dependence on God’s grace – Said good works could not save you – “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Great Awakening

•

George Whitefield

– very popular colonial preacher who was an expressive orator – Strong voice could sway 1,000 parishioners – Spoke of human helplessness & power of God – Converted many – Inspired imitators • New light vs. Old Light

“Dr. Squitum”

Schools and Colleges

• • • Colonists considered education to be for aristocrats only (males) New England – More interested in education than South – Had primary and secondary schools • Mainly to teach religion Middle Colonies & South – Had elementary schools – Wealthy had private tutors

Schools and Colleges

• • Schools were quite grim and very strict – Taught religion, Latin & Greek Nine universities were established during the Colonial period 1. Harvard (1636) to prepare the ministry 2. William & Mary, VA (1693) 3. Yale, Conn. (1701) 4. Princeton, NJ (1746) 5. U. of Penn (1751) 6. Columbia, NY (1754)

A Provincial Culture

• Art & culture were heavily influenced by British tastes – Most artists had to move to Europe to make a living • John Trumbull • Charles Willson Peale • Benjamin West • John Singleton Copley

Benjamin Franklin

• • • “The First Civilized American” – Proved lightening was electric His Literature –

Poor Richard’s Almanac

(1732-1758) • Preached thrift, industry, morality & common sense – Autobiography His inventions – Bifocals – Franklin stove

Pioneer Presses

• • Not many libraries in the Colonies – Few private collections About 40 small colonial newspapers – Most ran weekly –

Zenger Court Case

• (1734-35) Peter Zenger – NY Newspaper printer charged with libel against a corrupt royal governor – – Wins major court case Forerunner to belief in freedom of the press

The Great Game of Politics

• • • 13 colonies had different forms of gov.

– 8 had royal governors – 3 had proprietors – 2 were self governing Each had a 2 house legislative body – Council, upper house (appointed by king) – Lower house, elected by people Representative government is cherished by Americans

The Great Game of Politics

• • • • Colonial governors were generally able – Some were incompetent or corrupt – Governors had difficulties with the colonial assemblies • Some would withhold the gov. salaries County government – South Town-meeting – North Not everyone could vote – Religious membership – Own property

Colonial Folkways

• • • • • • • Colonial life was drab and tedious Diet was coarse and monotonous Churches were not heated No running water, no plumping, no bathtubs Candles provided faint light Garbage disposal was poor – Hogs, buzzard Militia mustering

Colonial Folkways

• • • • Lotteries were approved Stage plays were popular – Ministers saw them as being a waste Holidays were celebrated – New England frowned upon Christmas Thanksgiving becomes a true American festival