People of the Colonies

Section 4: Pages 73-79

Colonial Social Classes

There was an upper class in each of the colonies.

In New England, merchants, ship owners, and the clergy formed the upper class.

In the South landowners the upper class imitated European gentry.

Early laws excluded the lower class from wearing certain elements of clothing.

The lower class was composed primarily of indentured servants.

Colonial Social Classes (cont’d)

Once freed, indentured servants enjoyed significant upwards mobility.

Life in the Colonies Colonial life was very difficult. Those who settled along the frontiers faced

conflict with Native Americans, starvation and outbreaks of dysentery, malaria and yellow fever.

A state of prosperity was achieved by the 1700’s.

Colonial Social Classes (cont’d)

The Varied Population By 1775 only half the population was of

English origin. Different groups included: Irish Catholics,

Spanish Jews and German Protestants. Slave influx began in Virginia in 1619. Africans comprised close to 20 percent of the

population, with the highest concentration being in the south.

Women in the Colonies

The English colonies were able to grow rapidly due to adequate number of women.

Women were generally denied higher education and expected to marry off in their early twenties.

Women were generally responsible for child rearing, seeing as many had 5 or 6 children.

Women in the Colonies (cont’d)

Women also helped on farms by making clothes, soap, and bread.

Southern plantation wives also helped direct the workforce

New England wives would take the place of their seafaring husbands.

A small number of women were able to be publishers, druggists, doctors, and so forth.

Slavery in the Colonies

30% of 1st generation slaves died aboard ships. Legal differences between slaves and others

were not clear at first. Eventually legal distinctions were made between

African slaves and regular citizens. Slaves could not legally marry or

own property. Slave children could be sold and

separated from their mothers.

Slaves aboard a slave ship

Slavery in the Colonies (cont’d)

Southern Plantations Bulk of slavery done here. Slavery was deemed

financially necessary. Laws declared slaves were to

be enslaved for life. Was illegal to educate slaves. Some disagreed with slavery

but did nothing for fear of reprisal.

Freed slaves faced discrimination as well.

Very difficult to free a slave.

The North Slavery was not as far

spread, not very much profit. Mandatory for slaves to be

wed. Owners could punish slaves,

but not kill them. Many felt slavery was wrong. Quakers & Mennonites in

Penn. denounced slavery. # of freed slaves rose

steadily.

Native Americans

At first the Europeans did not intend to eliminate or harm the natives.

Some such as William Penn tried to treat them fairly. Religious leaders eagerly tried to convert them to

Christianity. The establishment of colonial farms was a source of

conflict. Colonialists took land that was not used all year long

( The natives were generally nomadic in nature). Initial conflicts were a result of not understanding

each other’s land ownership systems.

Native Americans (cont’d)

During conflict some felt massacring natives was justified seeing as they were “children of the devil.”

Most skirmishes were won by colonists due to superior weaponry and numbers.

Natives were further devastated by the effects of European diseases.

One group, the Iroquois Confederacy, was able to withstand colonial power.

Stereotypical Indian Brave

The Colonial Mind

The Great Awakening Prior to the awakening

religious groups would persecute each other.

The awakening served as a religious revival.

Many new types of churches were created, religious tolerance was required.

Colleges were created, i.e. Princeton & Rutgers.

Education in the Colonies Primarily taught to ensure

colonialist could read the Bible. Mass. required schools for

communities in 1647. Schooling was not as available in

the Middle Colonies. Schooling was rare in the

Southern Colonies. School resources were limited &

school year lasted 3 months. Students were primarily male. Nonetheless, Mass. was

considered to be very literate.

The Colonial Mind (cont’d)

Enlightenment Mid 18th century. Educational focus shifts to

science and ‘practical subjects’. Interest in science originated in

Europe, particularly John Locke. Locke’s work was well read in the

colonies. Locke toyed with the concept of a

reasonable society. Locke was republican in nature

and felt gov’t should serve the people.

The Press Schools & colleges

along with newspapers and books helped raise public awareness.

Most books were imported from Britain.

By 1750, there were close to 30 American newspapers.

The Colonial Mind (cont’d)

The Zenger Case In 1735 John Zenger, a journalist, accused

the governor of corruption. Papers were burnt and Zenger was charged

with libel. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that

Zenger was innocent seeing as he was exercising his right to free speech.

Zenger was acquitted and the case is now considered to be a significant one.

New Directions

The colonies were close to establishing economic independence by 1776.

Had a significant merchant marine fleet. Adopted their own monetary system. Decisions were often made at town hall

meetings, established primitive form of democracy.

New England pushed for independence in 1776.