Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution Chapter

Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution Chapter 5

Conquest by Cradle • Britain had 32 colonies in North America by 1775 – 13 rebelled – others were larger and wealthier (Canada, Jamaica) • Population grew from 300, 000 in 1700 to 2. 5 million in 1775 – Mostly from natural fertility of Americans – Average 16 – Began to catch population of England itself • Most populated American colonies – Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania • Mostly rural – 90% – Only cities: Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Charleston

A Mingling of Races • Germans – Tried to keep own language and cultures • No loyalty to British crown • Mostly Lutheran – Settled mainly Pennsylvania • developed Conestoga wagons • developed iron stove – 6% of population (1775) • Blacks – 400, 000 in 1775, 20% of population – 90% in the South • 5% of population were other Europeans – Huguenot, Welsh, Dutch, Swedes, Irish, Swiss, Jews – None had loyalty to British Crown New England was least ethnically diverse, Middle colonies, the most – Intermarriage created American identity •

Scots-Irish • • 7% of population (1775) – Second largest white ethnic group Pushed from Scotland to Northern Ireland to America looking for success – Irish Test Act 1704 denied limited voting to Anglicans, heavy taxes put on Scots-Irish products – Resented British authority and Anglican church Presbyterian Mostly to Pennsylvania, moved to frontier back country to find land – Were transient - built log cabins and moved on Were ready to fight, fiercely independent, confronted Indians in Appalachians Brought whiskey making to America Paxton Boys 1764 (Pennsylvania), Regulator movement (North Carolina) – Violent revolts against colonial government because Scots-Irish disagreed with government

Structure of Colonial Society • • America had more equality than Europe in 1700 s, but less than it had in 1600 s – Most Americans were small farmers – Cities had artisans, shopkeepers and tradespeople – Social mobility was available to almost all Increased social stratification – Increasing gap in wealth – Wealthy took control of politics, education and religion – Number of destitute increase, but not to European levels – Immigrants and indentured servants increased numbers of poor Loss of land – More people and estates divided through inheritance made it harder to get land Slaves were oppressed lower class – Britain would not stop slave trade because it would end cheap labor in West Indies

Occupations in the Colonies • Ministers were highly influential and esteemed • Physicians were poorly trained, medical care was inconsistent, epidemics common. – Physicians were not looked on favorably • Jurists - Lawyers were looked down upon because manual labor was favored • Agriculture was leading industry – 90% of people involved – Tobacco in Maryland, Virginia – Middle colonies raised cattle and grains • Fishing – New England – Encouraged shipbuilding industry

Manufacturing • • • Secondary to the economy, agriculture was main source of wealth Iron forges allowed some manufacturing Other products also produced – Rum, beaver hats, spinning and weaving cloth, carpentry – Lumbering important for shipbuilders Colonial naval stores – Tar, pitch, rosin, turpentine – Britain encouraged production as way to help British fleets Commerce and Trade – New York, Pennsylvania and New England dominated trade

Molasses Act 1733 • • • America out produced British demand, so wanted to be able to sell to foreign markets – Americans needed cash to be able to buy British finished products By 1720 s Americans were trading mostly with French colonies for sugar and molasses (for rum). “Sugar Lobby” of British West Indian members of Parliament had Molasses Act passed to restrict trade between American colonies and French West Indies – It was a tax designed to make British molasses cheaper than French – Would hurt American economy and standard of living – Led to smuggling, bribery and breaking the law – Britain did not enforce the law

Horsepower and Sailpower • • • Deep Rivers and peninsulas in South encouraged water transport – Was easier to sell goods to English textile manufacturers than overland – Reduced need for cities because trade happened directly from plantation to England New England had rough, rocky coast Had deep, sheltered bays – Encouraged development of cities around safe harbors Few navigable rivers to ocean Rivers were steep and downhill – Ideal for running mills • • • Green Dragon Tavern, Boston Populations cluster on waterways Roads were poorly made and maintained Taverns – emerge to provide food, shelter, entertainment, news and gossip along journeys – Were gathering centers and incubator for democracy and revolution

Dominant Denominations • Established Churches (paid with taxes) existed in 9 of 13 colonies – Congregationalist – MA, CT, NH – Anglican – NY, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA • Britain encouraged establishment of Anglican churches as way to promote authority of King • Was not popular in America because it wasn’t “Puritan” enough • Americans opposed creation of American Anglican bishop, fearing extension of King’s power • Ministers frequently addressed sinful lives and politics in sermons – Congregationalist and Presbyterians supported revolutionary ideals, Anglicans supported King

Religious Revivalism • • • Colonial Churches were not as intense as they were in 1700 s. Liberal preachers argued that good works could lead to salvation, challenging Calvinist predestination Arminians argued free will determined salvation, not God’s will Liberal challenges led to Halfway Covenant Pietism – German religious movement that emphasized pious behavior – 1720 s Theodore Frelinghuysen brought passionate spiritual message to Pennsylvania and New Jersey Jonathan Edwards • William and Gilbert Tennent led revival with Scots-Irish Presbyterians • Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” began the emotional, fire and brimstone sermons in Congregationalist churches in Connecticut • Believed vivid words would “fright persons from Hell” • Opposed financially motivated actions of merchants and land speculators, defended poor families

Great Awakening • • Great Awakening of 1730 s – 1740 s – George Whitefield (1739)– charismatic preacher • Inspired by Tennents and John Wesley (founder of Methodism) • Toured nation and attracted huge crowds • Preached human helplessness and divine power • Inspired evangelical, emotional imitators that led revival gatherings – Supporters of Awakening were “New Lights” • Anglican, Quakers, Baptists, and Congregationalist Churches split over their support or opposition to Awakening Effects – First spontaneous mass movement of Americans – Revived values of individual experience and lessened need for church organization – Created sense that challenges to American values were products of satanic influences George Whitefield

Old Lights vs. New Lights • • Old Lights opposed emotional theatrics of Awakenings, New Lights supported it. Impacts local politics – Connecticut • Colonial government controlled by Old Lights • Supporters of revolution and Sons of Liberty were New Lights Disestablishment of Church Opposition to old lights made some leave Congregationalist for Baptist and oppose tax support for churches New light Presbyterians in Virginia were led by Samuel Morris and Samuel Davies to leave traditional churches • Democratic Spirit Dangers of an Unconverted Ministry (1740) Gilbert Tennent said minister authority come from conversion experience, not theological knowledge – Anyone who had experience could speak as minister – democratic idea • New Light Baptists welcomed everyone including slaves – focused on adult baptism after adult was “born again” – Challenged social and class distinctions • New lights, Isaac Backus – common people have as much right to judge religious matters as clergy

Education in colonies • • • Traditionally education limited to elite, aristocrats in England – Education for leadership, not citizenship Protestants believed you had to read Bible – Led to increased literacy rates in America Boys were given more formal education – – – • Schools limited by needs of farm South relied on tutors instead of schools because of distance Very strict, focus on classics and religion Girls were taught housekeeping skills Memorial of 1 st Public School in US –Latin School, Boston

American Universities • • Most universities were to train “New Light” preachers and lawyers If someone wanted non-religious training, they would send their kid to Europe • Harvard was first Founded 1636 Congregational Rutgers Founded 1766 Dutch Reformed Founded 1740 Founded 1693 Anglican Columbia Founded 1754 Anglican Founded 1701 Congregational Princeton Founded 1746 Presbyterian Founded 1764 Baptist Dartmouth Founded 1769 Congregational

Provincial Culture • • Most Americans still looked to Europe for art and culture No schools to train artists • American painters – John Trumbull, Benjamin West, John Singleton Copely • Literature – Phillis Wheatley, slave girl who became a poet • Benjamin Franklin – Scientist, inventor, businessman, philosopher – Wrote Poor Richards Almanack – Was one of few Americans known and admired in Europe

Pioneer Presses • • Libraries were rare, mostly privately owned – Ben Franklin created first circulation library Few newspapers were made in the colonies – Benjamin Franklin was a printer and had his own paper in Philadelphia – 40 papers by Revolution, most written under pseudonyms – Played major role in criticizing policies or Britain

Zenger Trial • John Peter Zenger was arrested for libel because he printed articles criticizing the corrupt governor of New York – Zenger defended by Alexander Hamilton • Jury ruled in favor of Zenger despite royal judges instructions to the contrary • Zenger won the case, establishing precedent of free press in America – Establish that truth is defense against libel – Allowed Americans to criticize government

Structure Colonial Government • Governor – By 1775 – 8 royal colonies; 3 proprietary colonies (PA, MD, DE); 2 elected their own governors (CT, RI) – Had most authority • Colonial Legislatures – Colonial Council • Was upper house, usually chosen by king or proprietor – Colonial Assembly • Lower house • Representative governments – Voted into office by land owners – Backcountry areas were usually unrepresented and resented both colonial and royal governments • Voted for taxes • Controlled governors by limiting pay and budget

Colonial Politics • Town meetings encouraged democratic spirit and political debate • Voting tied to land ownership so most males could vote – Land was available for people to own their own farm – All colonies had limitations on voting • Culturally, tended to defer to “betters”