Chapter 3 Society Culture in Colonial America I

Chapter 3 Society & Culture in Colonial America I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. – John Locke

Racial Composition of Colonial Society n Primarily English n Germans: 6% n Scots-Irish: 7% n Other Europeans: 5% (French Huguenots, Welsh, Swedes, Jews, Swiss, Dutch) n Africans: 25% (90% of slaves in South)

Birth & Death Ø After initial hardships, population expanded in New England & Middle Colonies Ø life spans increased (10 years more than in England) Ø Why? Climate, disease-free environment, clean water

Southern Colonies Ø life expectancy: 40 Ø 1 in 4 children died in infancy; ½ before age of 20 Ø Why? Disease, salt-contaminated water

Population Comparisons: New England v. the Chesapeake

Women in Colonial Society Ø New England § Family structure was stable § Fathers controlled household Ø Women married early & had an average of 6 children Ø Women were important to the agricultural economy

Women in Colonial Society Ø Southern Colonies § Women had greater freedom and power because they outlived husbands (this position changed when families became more stable) § Women had an average of 8 children § Childbirth was a frequent cause of death

Colonial Economy Ø 90% of population involved in agriculture § Cash crops in South § Food crops in Middle colonies Ø Fishing also important – major industry in New England § Stimulated shipbuilding industry Ø Trade & Commerce

Triangular Trade

Rise of Consumerism Ø Began to associate possessions with social status Ø People wanted their neighbors to know they were in the upper classes of society Ø Former luxuries became necessities when they were easier to obtain (tea, linens, furniture, glassware)

New Forms of Community: The Plantation Ø Characteristics § self-contained communities § Most were small estates § Led to a highly stratified society in the southcontrolled by large landowners § Slavery impacted the culture & economy- slaves developed own culture (language, religion, etc. )

Plantations cont. Ø Stono Rebellion (1739) § South Carolina slave revolt § 100 Africans revolted & killed several whites, tried to escape to Florida § Uprising was crushed, participants executed Ø Increased Southern fear of blacks

New Forms of Community: Puritan Community Ø Town was the social unit § Structured around the “common” – central pasture shared by residents § Very tight knit communities § Town meetings held yearly to decide important issues

New Forms of Community: Cities Ø Largest in 1770 s: Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, Charles Town Ø Trading centers for farmers & for int’l trade Ø Makeup: merchants, tradesmen, workers, poor

Cities cont. § § § Social distinctions were real & distinct Centers of Industry Problems: crime, pollution, epidemics Established elaborate govts Places were new ideas could circulate

Religion Ø 2 tax supported churches Ø Anglican (Church of England) § Official church in GA, NC, SC, VA, MD § Symbol of the King Ø Congregational § Grew out of Puritan Church § In New England (except RI)

The Great Awakening Ø Religious revival movement begun in MA Ø Preached a stricter form of spirituality Ø Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield

n Caused a rift between “New Lights” & “Old Lights” n Some sects grew, others lost members n Increased religious diversity

The Enlightenment n Came to America in early 18 th century n Stressed importance of science & human reason n Suggested people had substantial control over their own lives n Encouraged new emphasis on education

Education n Interest was greatest in New England n Diffuse population made education difficult to establish in Southern colonies n Middle colonies: schools were church-sponsored n Colleges: to educate ministers

Newspapers n 40 existed before Revolution n News was not timely n Important tools to air colonial complaints & strengthen opposition to British control

Zenger Case (1735) n John Peter Zenger: NY editor & publisher n Charged with seditious libel for criticizing NY’s royal governor n English common law: injuring a governor’s reputation was considered a criminal act – even if statement was true! n Jury voted to acquit n Leads to a braver press

Government n Governor Selection – 8 appointed by King – 3 selected by proprietors (MD, PA, DE) – 2 elected (CT & RI)

Government cont. Ø Bicameral legislature § Upper House: mostly appointed § Lower House: elected by people § Had power to tax & paid governor’s salary Ø Voting Qualifications: religious &/or property requirements Ø More democratic than England

Salem Witchcraft Trials