Colonial Society on the Colonial Society on the Eve of RevolutionEve of Revolution

1700-17751700-1775

Fact Fact

Britain ruled 32 colonies in North America Britain ruled 32 colonies in North America (1775) –not 13!!(1775) –not 13!!

Why did only 13 rebelWhy did only 13 rebel???? Part of the Answer- the distinctive Social, Part of the Answer- the distinctive Social,

Political, & Economic systems that Political, & Economic systems that developed OVER TIME in the 13 colonies. developed OVER TIME in the 13 colonies.

DemographicsDemographics

Exploding population (1700= 300,000; Exploding population (1700= 300,000; 1775= 2.5 million people)-natural increase1775= 2.5 million people)-natural increase

Youth- avg. age= 16 yrs. OldYouth- avg. age= 16 yrs. Old Confined- most (95%) settled east of the Confined- most (95%) settled east of the

Alleghenies Alleghenies 90% farmers in rural areas90% farmers in rural areas

““What then is the American, this new man?” de What then is the American, this new man?” de

CrevecoeurCrevecoeur Colonial America mostly EnglishColonial America mostly EnglishGermansGermans 1775- 6% of population (150,000) Mostly Protestant (Lutheran) Misnamed “Pennsylvania Dutch”Scots-Irish 1775- 7% of Population (with Scots Highlanders= 12%) Became squatters- trickled down to Maryland, Carolinas, & Georgia 12 future presidents Scots-Irish The Paxton Boys (1764), Leisler’s, Bacon’s –all backcountry farmers

rebellions. Multicultural population (other Europeans) 5% of population (Jews, Irish, Swedes etc.

**African- 20% of the population (largest non-white population)* Most diverse population (multicultural tradition)- hard to classify!!

Colonial StructureColonial Structure

American dream-American dream- anyone who worked anyone who worked hard could advancehard could advance

Class distinctions EmergeClass distinctions Emerge small group of aristocrats (clergy, rich small group of aristocrats (clergy, rich

farmers, merchants, officials) had much farmers, merchants, officials) had much powerpower

Land became more scarceLand became more scarce More Poverty (widows & orphans; More Poverty (widows & orphans;

homeless) = alms houses built. homeless) = alms houses built.

The SouthThe South

PlantersPlanters Yeoman farmersYeoman farmers Landless whitesLandless whites Indentured Servants & criminalsIndentured Servants & criminals Black slavesBlack slaves 1760’s Some southern colonial 1760’s Some southern colonial

legislatures tried to halt importation of new legislatures tried to halt importation of new slaves- British authorities vetoedslaves- British authorities vetoed

1800’s – many nations outlawed 1800’s – many nations outlawed importation of new slaves.importation of new slaves.

““ProfessionalsProfessionals””ClergyClergy most honored professions most honored professions PhysiciansPhysicians not well trained or highly esteemednot well trained or highly esteemed ““bleeding” bleeding” Plagues were prevalent (1721- crude inoculation Plagues were prevalent (1721- crude inoculation

was introduced)- criticized by clergywas introduced)- criticized by clergy Barbers- filled in for doctorsBarbers- filled in for doctorsLawyersLawyers Commonly dislikedCommonly disliked 1750- seen as more useful1750- seen as more useful Great at public speakingGreat at public speaking

Colonial Trade & WorkColonial Trade & WorkTradeTrade Agriculture- leading industryAgriculture- leading industry Middle Colonies- “Bread Colonies”Middle Colonies- “Bread Colonies” South- staple (cash) crops tobacco, riceSouth- staple (cash) crops tobacco, rice Fishing- NEFishing- NE Manufacturing- Lumber- used by England for Manufacturing- Lumber- used by England for

ships 1/3 of English fleet. (tension with colonists) ships 1/3 of English fleet. (tension with colonists) Trading- common industryTrading- common industry• Triangular Trade-Triangular Trade- trade between Europe, the trade between Europe, the

colonies, Africa, and West Indiescolonies, Africa, and West Indies• tar, pitch, rosin, turpentinetar, pitch, rosin, turpentine• lumberlumber

Mercantilism: is an economic policy…Wealth is power, key to wealth is export more than import

European countries competed for world power and needed colonies to provide necessary raw materials.

Colonies’ role: provide raw materials (so mother country does not have to import from other nations) and markets for exports

Favorable balance of trade for England

• European nations relied on strong central governments to enforce mercantile doctrines

• Americans helped British maintain naval supremacy by providing ships, ships’ stores, sailors, trade (enumerated commodities)

• Americans provide profitable market for English manufactured goods

• Americans discouraged from buying these goods from other countries

• Most famous of laws to enforce mercantilism were the Navigation Laws (1650)– Restricted trade to English

vessels (no Dutch)

• Additional laws: Goods bound for colonies had to go to England first for duties

• Colonists also not allowed to manufacture certain products to not compete with British

Advantages of mercantilism• VA/MD tobacco farmers guaranteed

monopoly on English market.• Rights of Englishmen, but some self-

government, no taxes to support army/navy to protect them

• Until 1763, Navigation Laws were not a burden because laxly enforced (salutary neglect)

• Merchants disregarded or evaded restrictions, some got rich by smuggling (e.g. John Hancock)

• Average American better off economically than average English

*The Molasses Act*The Molasses Act (1733) (1733)

MercantilismMercantilism Parliament attempted to hinder colonial Parliament attempted to hinder colonial

trade with French West Indies & other trade with French West Indies & other countries.countries.

Why? Why? American colonists smuggled & bribed to American colonists smuggled & bribed to

avoid the lawavoid the law

Transportation in the ColoniesTransportation in the Colonies RoadsRoads Dirt roads, dusty in summer-muddy in winter & springDirt roads, dusty in summer-muddy in winter & spring Dangerous- wills & prayers were common before tripsDangerous- wills & prayers were common before trips Towns – sprang up around rivers or oceansTowns – sprang up around rivers or oceansTaverns Taverns ““cradle of democracycradle of democracy Place for gossip, news, & politicsPlace for gossip, news, & politics All social classes mixed hereAll social classes mixed herePostal SystemPostal System Set up mid 1700’sSet up mid 1700’s Not private, not consistent early onNot private, not consistent early on

Dominant DenominationsDominant Denominations

By 1775, two tax supported (“ESTABLISHED”) By 1775, two tax supported (“ESTABLISHED”) churcheschurches

AnglicanAnglican (Church of England) & the (Church of England) & the CongregationalCongregational (rooted in Puritan New England)(rooted in Puritan New England)

1.1. The Anglican ChurchThe Anglican Church: official faith in Georgia, North : official faith in Georgia, North & South Carolina, Chesapeake, & NY.& South Carolina, Chesapeake, & NY.

Supporter of royal authoritySupporter of royal authority Less strict & more secular than Puritanical New Less strict & more secular than Puritanical New

England.England. William & MaryWilliam & Mary (1693) est. to train better clergy. (1693) est. to train better clergy. No resident Bishops (rumor of an American bishopric) No resident Bishops (rumor of an American bishopric)

The Congregational ChurchThe Congregational Church

Had grown out of the Puritan Church; est. in all Had grown out of the Puritan Church; est. in all New England colonies (not R.I.)New England colonies (not R.I.)

PRESBYTERIANISMPRESBYTERIANISM – associated with – associated with Congregational churches-not official.Congregational churches-not official.

More political & anti-royal authorityMore political & anti-royal authority ““Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, & Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, &

Rebellion”Rebellion” Roman Catholics still discriminated against– but Roman Catholics still discriminated against– but

fewer existed in American colonies.fewer existed in American colonies.

Contributing Causes of the Great Contributing Causes of the Great AwakeningAwakening

Early 18Early 18thth century- religion was less intense century- religion was less intense Puritan churches problems- elaborate Puritan churches problems- elaborate

theological doctrines & liberalization of theological doctrines & liberalization of membership rules. membership rules.

Doctrine of predestination watered down by Doctrine of predestination watered down by “good works doctrine”“good works doctrine”

Arminians (Jacobus Arminius) – taught that Arminians (Jacobus Arminius) – taught that people could save themselves through free will. people could save themselves through free will.

*The Great Awakening*The Great Awakening (1730’s – 1740’s)(1730’s – 1740’s)

Began in Mass. with Began in Mass. with JonathanJonathan EdwardsEdwards (regarded as greatest American (regarded as greatest American theologian)theologian) Rejected salvation by works, affirmed Rejected salvation by works, affirmed

need for complete dependence on need for complete dependence on grace of God (“grace of God (“Sinners in the Hands Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”)of an Angry God”)

Orator Orator George WhitefieldGeorge Whitefield followed, followed, touring colonies, led revivals, touring colonies, led revivals, countless conversions, inspired countless conversions, inspired imitatorsimitators

George Whitefield

Jonathan Edwards

Effects of the Great AwakeningEffects of the Great Awakening Revival sermons across the colonies- Revival sermons across the colonies-

countless sinners shrieked & rolled with countless sinners shrieked & rolled with emotionalismemotionalism. .

““Old LightsOld Lights”- Orthodox clergymen ”- Orthodox clergymen skeptical of the emotionalism of Great skeptical of the emotionalism of Great Awakening.Awakening.

““New LightsNew Lights”- ministers who defended the ”- ministers who defended the Great Awakening.Great Awakening.

Effects of the Great AwakeningEffects of the Great Awakening Split the Congregational & Presbyterian Split the Congregational & Presbyterian

churcheschurches Increased the size of religious sects like the Increased the size of religious sects like the

BaptistsBaptists Undermined the authority of older clergyUndermined the authority of older clergy Increased competition among American Increased competition among American

churches (missionary work among Indians & churches (missionary work among Indians & Blacks)Blacks)

Founding of New Light colleges (Dartmouth, Founding of New Light colleges (Dartmouth, Princeton, Brown, Rutgers)Princeton, Brown, Rutgers)

Broke sectional differences –sense of unity?Broke sectional differences –sense of unity? ***1***1stst spontaneous movement of the American spontaneous movement of the American

people. people.

Education & CollegesEducation & Colleges English- education reserved for privileged; for English- education reserved for privileged; for

leadership not, citizenship- for males.leadership not, citizenship- for males.New EnglandNew England more interested education- religious reasons; later more interested education- religious reasons; later

for secular reasonsfor secular reasons Mainly for boysMainly for boys Established primary & secondary schools Established primary & secondary schools

The South & Middle ColoniesThe South & Middle Colonies adequate elementary schools- some tax supportedadequate elementary schools- some tax supported Wealthy families used private tutorsWealthy families used private tutors

EducationEducation Emphasis on religion & classical languages Emphasis on religion & classical languages

(Greek & Latin)(Greek & Latin) Doctrine & Dogma over experience & reasonDoctrine & Dogma over experience & reason Severe discipline – “birching”Severe discipline – “birching”

CollegesColleges New England- New England- prepare men for ministry at firstprepare men for ministry at first Wealthy southerners sent son over seasWealthy southerners sent son over seas 9 local colleges established in colonial era 9 local colleges established in colonial era

(theology & dead languages)(theology & dead languages)

* University of Pennsylvania- (Ben Franklin) 1* University of Pennsylvania- (Ben Franklin) 1stst non-denominational college in America. non-denominational college in America.

CultureCulture In art & culture, Americans relied heavily In art & culture, Americans relied heavily

on Europe.on Europe.

PaintersPainters John Trumbull (1756-1843)John Trumbull (1756-1843) Charles Wilson Peale (1741-1827Charles Wilson Peale (1741-1827))Portraits of George WashingtonPortraits of George Washington Benjamin WestBenjamin West John Singleton CopleyJohn Singleton Copley - Official court painter; - Official court painter;

loyalist during American revolution; close friend loyalist during American revolution; close friend to George III. to George III.

West- “Death of General Wolfe”

Copley-Paul Revere

Peale-

Trumbull- “Declaration of Independence”

ArchitectureArchitecture

Influenced by & imported from EuropeInfluenced by & imported from Europe Modified to meet demands of New WorldModified to meet demands of New World Log cabins – SwedenLog cabins – Sweden Georgian-style (1720) –Williamsburg Va.Georgian-style (1720) –Williamsburg Va.

Governor’s Mansion- Williamsburg

LiteratureLiterature Undistinguished with a few exceptions.Undistinguished with a few exceptions. Phillis WheatleyPhillis Wheatley (1753-1784)- slave girl (1753-1784)- slave girl

never formally educated; published a book never formally educated; published a book of poem in England at age 20.of poem in England at age 20.

Benjamin Franklin-Benjamin Franklin- “ “Poor Richard’sPoor Richard’s AlmanacAlmanac”- contained pithy sayings & ”- contained pithy sayings & wisdom from the past (well known in wisdom from the past (well known in Europe & America)Europe & America)

““Fish and visitors stink in three days”Fish and visitors stink in three days” ‘‘Plough deep while sluggards sleep” Plough deep while sluggards sleep”

ScienceScience Benjamin Franklin- only 1Benjamin Franklin- only 1stst rank scientist rank scientist

produced by the American colonies.produced by the American colonies. Kite flying experiment- lightening is a form Kite flying experiment- lightening is a form

of electricity.of electricity. Bi-focals, Franklin Stove, lightening rod. Bi-focals, Franklin Stove, lightening rod.

The PressThe Press Americans too poor to buy books & too busy to readAmericans too poor to buy books & too busy to read Clergy held a few private librariesClergy held a few private libraries Benjamin Franklin est. 1Benjamin Franklin est. 1stst public lending library in public lending library in

Philadelphia Philadelphia 1776- 50 public libraries existed1776- 50 public libraries existedPrinting Press Printing Press Pamphlets, leaflets, journalsPamphlets, leaflets, journals 40 colonial newspapers in eve of revolution40 colonial newspapers in eve of revolution Newspapers held essays written by anonymous Newspapers held essays written by anonymous

authorsauthors News lagged behind many weeksNews lagged behind many weeks **Peter Zinger Case 1734-1735- **Peter Zinger Case 1734-1735- set precedent for set precedent for

freedom of press & public discoursefreedom of press & public discourse

PoliticsPolitics 13 colonial governments took various forms: 8 had 13 colonial governments took various forms: 8 had

royal governors, 3 had governors picked by royal governors, 3 had governors picked by proprietors, 2 had governors elected by citizens & proprietors, 2 had governors elected by citizens & were self-governing (RI & Conn)were self-governing (RI & Conn)

Almost all colonies hadAlmost all colonies had: : 2 house legislature (upper house appointed by crown 2 house legislature (upper house appointed by crown

& proprietors & lower house chosen by citizens)& proprietors & lower house chosen by citizens)

*Backcountry settlers were under-represented in some *Backcountry settlers were under-represented in some assemblies & hatred colonial elites even more than assemblies & hatred colonial elites even more than king. king.

Legislatures voted on: taxes as they chose. Legislatures voted on: taxes as they chose.

PoliticsPolitics Royal Governors- appointed by the King; Royal Governors- appointed by the King;

sometimes incompetent & corruptsometimes incompetent & corrupt Legislatures wielded “Legislatures wielded “power of the pursepower of the purse” ”

(one NC governor died with his salary 11 (one NC governor died with his salary 11 years in arrears) years in arrears)

Local GovernmentLocal Government County government- popular in south; County government- popular in south;

town meetings popular in New England.town meetings popular in New England.

PoliticsPolitics

VotingVoting: no means a birthright: no means a birthright Religious or property requirements existed Religious or property requirements existed

in all colonies in 1775.in all colonies in 1775. About half adult white males could voteAbout half adult white males could vote Ease of land acquisition= voting not out of Ease of land acquisition= voting not out of

reach for many.reach for many. Office holders met stricter rulesOffice holders met stricter rules

FolkwaysFolkways Life drab & tediousLife drab & tedious Labor was heavy & constantLabor was heavy & constant Food plentiful but, blandFood plentiful but, bland Churches not heated, drafty homes, no running Churches not heated, drafty homes, no running

water, no plumbingwater, no plumbing Lit homes with candles or whale-oil lampsLit homes with candles or whale-oil lamps Amusement- house raisings, quilting beesAmusement- house raisings, quilting bees South- card playing, horse-racing, cock fighting, South- card playing, horse-racing, cock fighting,

& fox hunting; stage plays& fox hunting; stage plays North- winter sportsNorth- winter sports Lotteries- approved & used by church & colleges Lotteries- approved & used by church & colleges

Holidays- Christmas, ThanksgivingHolidays- Christmas, Thanksgiving