Chapter 4, Second Half

Social, Political, and Intellectual changes in 18th century British Colonies

English Bill of Rights – makes gov’t more representative

Enlightenment Great Awakening Size/population growth Economic growth

What were the general changes that occurred in the British colonies over the course of the 18th century?

Size◦ Indian depopulation, disease, dislocation, treaties

Population ◦ mostly high birthrate, also continued immigration

Econ. Growth ◦ huge labor force, diversification, trade

Cultural/intellectual ideas ◦ connection w/ Britain

Political ◦ aftermath of Glorious Rev., back to salutary

neglect/mercantilism

What factors accounted for these changes?

Ohio Valley◦ VA and PA send settlers, make claims◦ Leads to growing tension b/w Britain, France

Georgia◦ Founded by James Oglethorpe◦ Reason - haven for debtors◦ Bonus reason – buffer zone b/w Florida & SC

Where did Britain’s colonies expand in the 18th Century?

Who settled in Georgia?◦ Mostly German, Swiss, Scottish immigrants◦ debtors◦ Jews◦ Very diverse, inclusive

Georgia (1733)

Social structure – egalitarian or elitist?◦ Land holdings limited◦ Slavery banned◦ Planned as a utopian experiment (no drinking,

etc) Why did the Georgia experiment fail?

◦ Not many debtors came ◦ Land limits, slavery restrictions

discouraged settlement- Rice cult. more profitable w/ slavery- Restrictions eased

Georgia

How did colonial legislatures operate?◦ After 1689, they led in drafting laws (not

governor)◦ Only part of colonial gov’ts subject to the

people◦ Exerted influence over governors by controlling

revenues, salaries◦ Most colonies were fairly self-governing up until

1750s

Colonial Politics – Was Early America a Democracy?

Royal Gov

Gov Council

Colonial Assembly

Who served in legislatures?◦ Typically the wealthy (top 2%)◦ Lesser gentry as Justices of the Peace

Why?◦ Most colonies outside NE required large

landholdings to run for office (1,000 acres to run, most farms 100-200 acres)

◦ Only rich could afford to live on small legislator’s salary

◦ 80% of population in most colonies couldn’t hold office

The People in Politics

Who was eligible to vote?◦ Most white males (about 60%):

7 colonies had small landowning requirements Others – just had to own a home

◦ In England, only 1/3 could vote◦ In Ireland, only 10% could vote◦ No women◦ No nonwhites (black, Indian)

Voter turnout:◦ Usually low in rural places (long travel

distances)◦ More competitive in northern cities

Colonial Voters

Ideals:◦ Reason as basis of knowledge

Key figures in colonies:◦ Ben Franklin (Philadelphia)◦ Thomas Jefferson (rural VA)

Legacy of Enlightenment:◦ Question est. political order◦ Led to Am. Rev.

Enlightenment

What was it?• Religious revival of 1730s thru 1770s (peak in

1740s)• First mass social movement in American history

Why did it occur?• The 1700s saw a decline in religious devotion

Outside of NE, 1 in 15 people was a member of a church

NE suffered a decline in church attendance (1:5 were members)• Church sermons were seen by many as

“cold” & impersonal • http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/the-first-great-awakening-religious-revival-an

d-american-independence.html

Great Awakening

Ideals:◦ Human nature corrupt, but Salvation thru repentance◦ Regular folks can get saved w/o a minister◦ Highly emotional and personal◦ Led to a rise in Arminianism (free will, not

predestination)

Key figures:◦ George Whitefield◦ Jonathan Edwards – “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

Spider above the fire◦ Gilbert Tennent

Religious effects:◦ Split b/w Old Lights & New Lights◦ Weakening of Anglican, Quaker, Pilgrim/Puritan churches

(Congregationalists), Undermined the older clergy◦ Rise of Baptists, Presbyterians – increased

“competitiveness” of American churches◦ Expanded roles for women in churches◦ Non-whites into Christianity – esp. black pop. – reached out

to Indians and slaves◦ Revivals resulted in changed behaviors (decrease in card-

playing, drunkenness, increase in church attendance, Bible study)

◦ Rejection of cold rationalism of Puritanism and Anglicanism and more reliance on the "heart" rather than the "head."

Religious Effects of Great Awakening

• Colleges est. to break from “Old Light” influence (Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth)

Strong democratic component– people had more choice and individualism in religion (a highly American trait)

Empowered ordinary people to go against est. authority – prelude to Am. Rev.

Social/Political Effects of Great Awakening