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The Colonial Society

This exploration delves into the complex layers of colonial society in America, highlighting the influences of Enlightenment thought, the resurgence of faith during the Great Awakening, and the principles of Calvinism propagated by the Puritans. It examines key beliefs such as predestination, work ethic, and societal structures while tracing the evolution of religious tolerance and the pursuit of a perfect society. The impact of immigration, education, and social mobility is also discussed, alongside the emergence of a distinct American culture shaped by various philosophical and religious movements.

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The Colonial Society

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  1. The Colonial Society The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening

  2. Calvinism and the Puritans • John Calvin- Theologian • Predestination • Key Beliefs • Men are ALL sinners • Only a few are Saved

  3. Success is a sign of Grace • Hard work is a virtue • Righteous behavior is a Calvinist virtue • The “saved” are “living saints” • The “Elect” • You can never be sure you are Saved.

  4. British Calvinism • The Separatists • Church of England is corrupt • Want separation from it • Intolerant of other religions.

  5. May Flower Pilgrims • Plymouth Colony 1620 • Believe what you want but not here • Colony Struggled

  6. Puritans • Want to “purify” the Church of England • Establish Massachusetts Bay Colony 1630 • Perfect society of a “Living Saint” • A “Theocracy.” John Winthrope • Religious conformity enforced by law • The Godly Commonwealth • Had a “Covenant” with God

  7. Lasting impact of the Puritans • The Work Ethic • Material success a sign of virtue • Strict public morality • Intolerance • The Town meeting • Public Education • Harvard College 1636 • Value of Contracts • Belief in National Mission • Idea of a “Calling” • Superiority

  8. Reaction to Puritans • Religious Liberty • “Separation of Church and State” • Roger Williams • Anne Hutchinson • The First Amendment to the Constitution 1791

  9. The Protestant Work Ethic • Americans work hard. • The basis of our success…

  10. Utopian Perfection • Puritans want to build a perfect society • This is a theme in American History • Belief in Progress

  11. Immigrants from Europe • Brought European customs and traditions • But soon a new culture emerged: the American Colonial culture. • Shaped by the New Environment

  12. Colonial Society • Rapid population growth from • Immigration • Amazing birth rate • By 1776 3 million American colonials • 2/3rd born in the New World

  13. Area of Settlement • Mostly along the Atlantic seaboard • Most Lived as farmers • Line of exploration had reached Kentucky • The Western Frontier

  14. Social Classes • By 1775 distance classes had emerged • Top class: Plantation owners, and wealthy merchants • Next: Small farmers, craftsmen and shopkeepers • Bottom: Indentured servants and slaves

  15. Social Mobility • The ability to move from one class to the next • Class structure in Europe was Rigid • Colonial American it was easy to rise

  16. Living Conditions • Family was the focal point. • Strict discipline • Life expectancy 40 in the South, 70 in New England • Middle Class produced own clothes and homes • Upper class imported clothes • Recreation

  17. Arts and Literature • Life was hard • Little time for arts • Noted American artists: • Charles Peale • John S. Copley • Gilbert Stuart

  18. Charles Peale

  19. John S. Copley

  20. Gilbert Stuart

  21. The Enlightenment • Begins in England with Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica 1687 • Mechanical view of the universe, governed by Natural Law. • Reason and the Scientific Method to find the truth.

  22. Rationalism • In America Ben Franklin, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, son of the Enlightenment • Deism: The popular religion • God as master clock maker • Progress is possible.

  23. John Locke • “Social Contract” • “Treatise on Civil Government” • Natural Rights vs. Divine right of Kings • The Right of Revolution • Man is a product of his environment

  24. Enlightenment in Europe • American intellectuals influence by Voltaire • Ben Franklin • Inventor • Scientist • Statesman • Publisher • Thinker • Philosopher • Rationalism undercuts Calvinist emotion.

  25. Religion in Colonial America • As religious diversity increases so does religious tolerance • Congregationalist church becomes the established church in New England • Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware practice separation of church and state • The South establishes the Anglican Church

  26. The Great Awakening • By 1730s and 40s religion had lost its passion • Congregational church adopts the half way covenant • Church membership declines • Ministers preach a softer religion influence by the Enlightenment

  27. New Light Ministers • Jonathan Edwards Northampton, Mass • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” • 1734 George Whitefield • Returns Emotion to religion • New Light Colleges • Dartmouth • Rutgers • Princeton

  28. Colonial Education • Massachusetts Act of 1647 • Towns with 50 families must establish a school • Towns with 100 families must set up Latin Grammar School • First Colleges: • Harvard • William • Mary • Yale

  29. Salem Witch Trials 1692 • 20 people executed • Starts: Salem girls, a slave and two women are charged with witchcraft • Then charged anyone they disliked • 150 are charged. Some confess • Anyone who protested was accused

  30. Mercantilism • Economic Theory • Colonies exist to benefit the “Mother Country” • Trade is controlled • Must use British merchant ships • Must ship goods to England first • Cannot trade outside of the empire

  31. More… • Colonies supply raw materials • Become markets for manufactured goods. • Navigation Act passed by parliament • But not enforced • Policy of Salutary Neglect

  32. THAT IS IT! Done…finished…complete….end.…through…

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