Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution

1. Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution 1700 - 1775

2. Colonial Population by 1775 • 2.5 million people (including .5 million blacks) • Population doubled every 25 yrs. • Average age: 16 • 90% lived in rural areas

3. Most non-English groups moved to the frontier Single largest non-English group: Africans(20% in the South) New England: least ethnically diverse Middle colonies: most diverse population Intermarrying laid foundations for new multicultural America A Mingling of the Races(melting pot p. 85)

4. Scots-Irish • Great frontiersmen / anti-British government • 1764 – Paxton Boys // Philadelphia • Protested Quaker’s lenient policy towards Native Americans • Regulator Movement / North Carolina(a few years later) • Small, nasty insurrection against eastern domination of colony’s affairs

5. Professionals • Most honored profession: Christian ministry • Held in low esteem: Physicians • Lawyers (until 1750)

6. More stratified with barriers to mobility (18th century) Colonies had more equality/opportunity than Europe Class of widows & orphans Landholdings were being subdivided/ Average size of farms shrank South – wealth concreted in the hands of a few Paupers & convicts dumped by London in colonies Colonial Society

7. Colonial Economy • Colonial economy based on agriculture (90%) except in New England where shipbuilding & commerce were important – p. 91 • Most important manufacturing activity: lumber • 1730s – fast-breeding Americans demanded more & more English products. However, English population early reached saturation point for absorbing imports. • Solution: foreign (non-English) markets

8. Foreign Markets • Triangular trade very profitable: map p. 93 • West Indies especially the French islands, major trade partners with colonies • Molasses Act (1773): inhibited colonial trade with French West Indies • Smuggling began

9. Transportation Problems • Roads were poor – rivers most efficient means of travel • Taverns along main routes: • another cradle of democracy • “hotbeds of agitation as the Revolutionary movement gathered momentum.” • Intercolonial postal system established by mid 1700’s

10. Colonial Religions • 2 tax-supported churches: Anglican & Congregational • Anglican (Church of England) – less fierce, more worldly/ supported by the king • Congregational – grew out of Puritan Church • Anglican -dominant in the South • Congregational -dominant in New England • Presbyterians were predominant on the frontier • Catholics were discriminated against

11. The Great Awakening 1730s – 1740s • Several religious problems in the early 18th century • Belief in good works & individual free will • lead to this arousing revival • Characterized by emotional sermons • Increased the number of church goers & missionary work with Indians & black slaves increased • Lead to establishment of several colleges

12. Jonathan Edwards -1734 • Preached folly of believing in salvation through good works • Affirmed need for God’s grace • Preached on hell • “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

13. George Whitefield - 1738 • Former alehouse attendant • Great orator • Preached on human helplessness & divine omnipotence

14. Schools & Colleges • Education was most important in New England • Important for Bible reading • Primary & secondary schools • Some schools in Middle & Southern colonies • Emphasis was placed on religion/classical languages • Independent thinking discouraged • Early colonial colleges: p. 98

15. Colonial Culture • Materialistic atmosphere was not favorable to artistic endeavor • Art was an invention of the Devil • Portrait artists had to go to England • Architecture was imported from Europe • Colonial literature was undistinguished except for: • Poetry of Phillis Wheatley (slave girl) • Benjamin Franklin – Poor Richard’s Almanack 1732-1758 • Scientist – electricity,bifocals, stove

16. Charles Wilson Peale • John Nicholson, 1790

17. Charles Wilson Peale • Mrs. John Nicholson and John Nicholson, 1790

18. John Singleton Copley • Paul Revere

19. John Singleton Copley • Portrait of the Copley family, 1776

20. Colonial Presses • 50 public libraries by 1776 – supported by subscriptions • 40 newspapers by 1776: aired colonial grievances& rallying opposition to British control • Peter Zenger libel case in New York (1734-35) • Newspaper was sued for libel by Gov. • Newspaper found not guilty / true statements about public officials could not be prosecuted as libel • Led to freedom of the press

21. Political Situation in 1775 • 8 colonies had royal governors - appointed by the king • 3 colonies had proprietors who chose governors- • Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware • 2 colonies elected their own governor – Connecticut & Rhode Island • Colonies controlled legislatures – taxes & governors’ salaries

22. Political Situation conti. • Every colony had a 2 house legislature – bicameral • Upper house – chosen by king, proprietor, or voters • Lower house – elected by people • All colonies required religious or property qualifications for voting & holding office – many didn’t vote • Far more democratic than England and Europe

23. Colonial Folkways • Everyday life was difficult – tedious • Food was plentiful • Amusement/sports p.103 • Most popular holiday: Thanksgiving • By 1775 – colonists were basically English in language & customs, Protestant in religion, some degree of ethnic & religious toleration