Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution

1. Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution

2. Bacon’s Rebellion • Nathaniel Bacon was a planter, a member of the governor’s council, and cousin of governor William Berkeley of VA but he sympathized with the frontiersmen. • In 1676 he raised an army to fight the Indians. Governor Berkeley declared him a rebel and gathered an army to try and stop him. • Bacon then turned his army on Berkeley’s and burned Jamestown and controlled most of VA until his death. • This rebellion showed that frontiersmen were frustrated without government representation and would not allow this type of government to exist.

3. Colonial Demographics • Colonial population jumped from 300,000 to 2.5 million between 1700 and 1775. • Through natural fertility colonial population was doubling every 25 years. “Multiplying like their own rattlesnakes.” • Due to this increase, a shift in the balance of power would give an advantage to the colonists. • 20% of the population was black-brought by force. • Germans were 6% of the population while Scots-Irish were 7%. These two groups were the first major people to push “westward”. • There was also 5% of the population who came from other European countries. • All of these groups would play a significant role in the Revolution because none of them had loyalty to the British crown and thus felt no need to defend it. • Along with Indians and Africans, they also laid the foundation for America’s melting pot through intermarriage and mingling.

4. Colonial Society • In the 17th century, unlike Europe, no distinct social ranks existed until the Revolution. • The colonies were viewed as a place of opportunity where the acquisition of land allowed for social mobility. • In the 18th century, wars throughout Europe allowed for New Englanders and middle colonists to accumulate wealth as military suppliers. • These would be the first elites in the colonies. • Those less fortunate tended to settle in the major ports of Boston, NY, and Philadelphia and included war widows, indentured servants, paupers, convicts, and, of course, slaves.

5. Colonial Economy • The clergy was considered the most honored of the professions while lawyers were looked down upon. • Physicians were poorly trained and epidemics raged throughout the colonies-even George Washington was not immune (He had smallpox). • 90% of colonists were in agriculture. • Manufacturing and commerce were also contributors to the colonial economy. • There was also a place for women in the new colonial economy.

6. Effects of Mercantilism • Favorable balance of trade encouraged England to acquire more colonies. • The Navigation Act, which required colonies to only sell their goods to England, tightened English control over colonial trade. • Europeans fought over trade routes and territory instead of religion. • The Dominion of New England ended some colonial legislatures. • The demand for high taxes and the lack of influence of the Church of England led to the Glorious Revolution and the replacement of King James the II of England.

7. The Middle Passage • American slavery began for economic reasons but by the end of the 17th century there was evidence that racism also molded the American slave system. • Refers to the transatlantic sea voyage that brought slaves to the New World. • 20% of slaves died on the journey as a result of disease, chains, heat, and lack of sanitation. • 400,00 slaves were transported to the US, most of them post 1700. • Despite wretched conditions, slave rebellions like the New York slave revolt and the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina were few and far between.

8. The Great Awakening-Religion • The Anglican Church in the south and the Congregational Church in New England emerged as the dominant places of worship in the 18th century not without their problems. • These houses of worship were fast becoming arenas for political issues. • Religious tolerance was much more accepted in the U.S. than in Europe. • Liberal ideals that refuted Calvin’s theory of pre-destination started to take hold and diminish the power of some churches. • The emotive manner encouraging sinners to become saved was known as the Great Awakening. • The Awakening was significant because it undermined the old clergy, encouraged new missionary work, created schisms and numerous churches but also created a sense of unity amongst the colonists who had a shared past.

9. Politics • In the 18th century most colonies had a two house legislature comprised of the upper house-appointed by the king in royal colonies, the proprietor in proprietary, and the voters in self-governing colonies-and the lower house-elected white male landowners. • Colonies with direct representation enjoyed self-taxation. • While governors were appointed by the king, the colonists had the power of the purse and were able to withhold salaries for poorly done jobs. • Colonies in the north opted for town meeting politics while those in the south chose county politics. The middle colonies were a combination of the two. • The town meeting was the first instance of democracy at work in the colonies-openand honest.

10. Education • Education was principally for boys. • In the colonies schools emerged for religious purposes, with the Puritans leading the way. • As a result of the Great Awakening, schools such as Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth emerged. • Because colleges were created strictly for religious purposes, many well to do southern families sent their children to England to obtain a “proper” education.

11. Culture • Most colonists were still attached to European art, literature, and architecture. • There were some exceptions though including Phillis Wheatley, a slave who became a poet. • Benjamin Franklin also enjoyed literary success with his Poor Richard’s Almanack. • Franklin also pioneered science in the New World including his lightning rod and the creation of bifocals.

12. Britain’s Colonial Policy Early 1700’s • Most colonies shared a similar pattern of government: • 1. A governor appointed by the king • 2. A colonial legislature which served under the governor • 3. A lower house elected by qualified voters (white male landowners) • While the governor had a lot of power, it was the legislature who made most of the decisions. • Salutary Neglect was the policy that England ignored their colonies and some of the policies they had put in place and as a result the colonies thrived economically.