Colonial Life in theColonial Life in the1717thth and 18 and 18thth Centuries Centuries

I. Southern Society

As slavery spread, gaps in the South’s social structure widened: A hierarchy of wealth and status became

defined. At the top were powerful great planter

families: the Fitzhughs, the Lees, and the Washingtons.

By the Revolutionary War, 70% of the leaders of the Virginia legislature came from families established in Virginia before 1690.

Southern Society

Planter elite at top. Far beneath the planters were the small,

yeoman farmers, the largest social group.

Still lower were the landless whites. Beneath them were those whites serving

out their indenture. Increasingly black slaves occupied the

bottom rung of southern society.

Southern Society

Few cities sprouted in the colonial South. Urban professional class (lawyers and

financiers) was slow to emerge. Southern life revolved around the

isolated great plantations. Waterways were the principal means of

transport. Roads were terrible.

II. The New England Family

Contrasts in New England life:– New England settlers of 1600s added 10

years to their life span.– First generations of Puritans averaged 70

years.– They tended to migrate not as single

persons but as families, and the family remained the center of New England life

New England’s population grew from natural reproduction.

The New England Family

Married life in New England: Early marriage encouraged a booming

birthrate. Women generally married in their early

twenties. They produced babies every two years.

A married woman could experience up to ten pregnancies and raise as many as eight children.

Longevity contributed to family stability.

The New England Family

Gender Roles The fragility of southern families advanced the

economic security of southern women. Because men often died young, southern

colonies allowed married women to retain separate title to property and inherit their husband’s estates.

New England women, however, gave up property rights when they married.

A rudimentary concept of women’s rights as individuals was beginning to appear in the 1600s.

Women could not vote, but authorities could intervene to restrain abusive husbands.

III. Life in the New England Towns New Englanders evolved a tightly knit

society based on small villages and farms. Puritanism instilled unity and a concern for

the moral health of the whole community. Society grew in an orderly fashion, unlike in

the southern colonies. After securing a grant of land from a colonial

legislature, proprietors laid out their towns. Towns of over 50 families were required to

provide elementary education

Life in the New England Towns 1636: Harvard was founded. Puritans ran their own churches. Democracy in the Congregational

Church led to the same in government. Town meetings were examples of

democracy: Elected officials Appointed schoolmasters Discussed mundane matters such as road

repairs

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IV. Population Growth

A distinguishing characteristic shared by the colonies was population growth: 1700: There were fewer than 300,000

people, about 20,000 of whom were black. 1775: 2.5 million inhabited the thirteen

colonies, of whom half a million were black. White immigrants were nearly 400,000; black

“forced immigrants” were about the same. The colonists were doubling their numbers

every twenty-five years.

V. The Structure of Colonial Society

America seemed a shining land of equality and opportunity, except for slavery.

In New England, with open land less available, descendants faced limited prospects: Farms got smaller. Younger children were hired out as wage laborers. Boston’s homeless poor increased.

In the South, large plantations continued their disproportionate ownership of slaves: The largest slaveowners increased their wealth. Poor whites increasingly became tenant farmers.

The Structure of Colonial Society Colonial professions:

– Most honored was the Christian ministry, but by 1775 ministers had less influence than earlier.

Most physicians were poorly trained. First medical school was established in 1765. Aspiring young doctors served as

apprentices. At first, lawyers were not favorably regarded.

The Structure of Colonial Society Agriculture was the leading occupation,

employing 90% of people Tobacco the main crop of Maryland and Virginia. Middle (“bread”) colonies produced much grain. Overall, Americans enjoyed a higher standard of

living than the masses of any country. Fishing ranked far below agriculture, yet was

rewarding, with a bustling commerce. Commercial ventures were another path to

wealth.

Map 5.2 p86

The Structure of Colonial Society Triangular trade was very profitable. Manufacturing was of secondary importance. Household manufacturing (spinning and

weaving by women) added impressive output. Skilled craftspeople few and highly prized. Lumbering was the most important

manufacturing activity. Colonial naval stores were also highly valued.

Map 5.3 p87

VI. The Great Awakening

Table 5.2 p89

Jonathan Edwards

The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you and is dreadfully provoked. His wrath toward you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire. (1734)

Reasons for Great Awakening Ministers feared “rational Christianity”

that Enlightenment popularized 1730s, religious revivals began among

Congregationalists and Presbyterians in Middle Colonies and New England

Focused on traditional Protestant Christianity Evangelical – focused on rebirth through

religious conversion

Popular Ministers

Jonathon Edwards Local Congregationalist Pastor, Northampton, MA Juxtaposed talk of God’s grace with portrayals of

eternal damnation Individuals must express remorse and penance

George Whitefield From England, traveled throughout colonies

hosting revivals Led dramatic performances to thousands (B.F.) Message was similar to Edwards’, but delivery

was better

5.6 p91

Impact of Great Awakening

The Awakening left many lasting effects: The emphasis on direct, emotive spirituality

seriously undermined the old clergy. Many schisms increased the number and

competitiveness of American churches. It encouraged new waves of missionary

work. It led to the founding of colleges. It was the first spontaneous mass

movement. It contributed to a growing sense of

Americanism.

VII. Schools and Colleges Education was first reserved for the aristocratic few:

Education should be for leadership, not citizenship, and primarily for males.

Puritans were more zealous in education. The primary goal of the clergy was to make good Christians

rather than good citizens. Educational trends:

Education for boys flourished. New England established schools, but the quality and

length of instruction varied widely. The South, because of geography, was severely hampered

in establishing effective school systems. Wealthy southern families leaned heavily on private tutors.

.

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Schools and Colleges

Nine colleges were established during the colonial era Student enrollments were small, about 200. Instruction was poor, with curriculum heavily

loaded with theology and “dead languages.” By 1750, there was a distinct trend toward

“live” languages and modern subjects. Ben Franklin helped launch the University of

Pennsylvania, first college free from any church.

Table 5.3 p93

VIII. A Provincial Culture

Art and culture still had European tastes, especially British.

Colonial contributions: John Trumbull (1756–1843) was a painter. Charles Willson Peale (1741–1827), known

for his portrait of George Washington, ran a museum.

Benjamin West (1738–1820) and John Singleton Copley (1738–1815) were famous painters.

p93

A Provincial Culture

Other colonial contributions: Architecture was largely imported and modified to

meet peculiar conditions of the New World. The log cabin was borrowed from Sweden. 1720: Red-bricked Georgian style introduced. Noteworthy literature was the poetry of enslaved

Phillis Wheatley (ca. 1753–1784). Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard’s

Almanack. Science was slowly making progress:

Benjamin Franklin was considered the only first-rank scientist produced in the American colonies.

IX. Colonial Folkways

Everyday life was drab and tedious: Food was plentiful, but the diet was coarse

and monotonous. Basic comforts were lacking. Amusement was eagerly pursued where

time and custom permitted.

Colonial Folkways

By 1775, British North America looked like a patchwork quilt: Each colony was slightly different, but all

were stitched together by common origins, common ways of life, and common beliefs in toleration, economic development, and self-rule.

All were physically separated from the seat of imperial authority.

These facts set the stage for the struggle to unite.