1. The American Pageant Chapter 5 Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700-1775.
Unit 2: Chapters 5-8 Chapter 5: Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution.
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Transcript of Unit 2: Chapters 5-8 Chapter 5: Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution.
Diversity?Who was the least loyal
to the Crown?Racial make-up of
regions? Is this the beginning of becoming “American?”
The Structure of Colonial Society Social mobility easier
to obtain in colonies than in England/Europe.
Disparity between the “have and have not's” continue to show/grow= growth of charities
Land scarcity increasing throughout colonies but still easier to obtain relative to England
Land of the “jayle birds”
Slavery thriving in the South
Workaday America Varied depending on
region Tobacco, grains in middle
colonies Cotton in the south Fishing, shipbuilding, in NE Household manufacturing
by women
Trade with Caribbean islands was profitable
Cash crops and lumber biggest income maker irrespective of region
Trade imbalance with England = increase trade with foreign nations
Molasses Act intended to curtail trade with French West Indies = colonial problems with the Crown
Horsepower and Sailpower
Poor road conditions = slow trade
Waterways more efficient
Businesses spotted along travel routes
Taverns the place to get the 411!
Postal system developed by mid 1700’s
Decline in Religious Devotion…
1. Half-way covenant (1662)
a. Addresses decreasing membership
b. Mostly in New England
2. Arminianisma. God all-loving; good
deeds and faith = salvation
b. Supported Enlightenmentc. Countered spiritual
conversion needed for church membership
…leads to The Great Awakening
1. The 1730sa. Emotionally chargedb. Religious power in the hand
of the individual c. George Whitfield
2. Revivalsa. Jonathan Edwardsb. In the South, revivals
introduced Christianity to slaves.
The Great Awakening
3. Allowed for questioning religious, as well as, political leadership.4. Supported by young and poor.5. First spontaneous mass movement of the American people! United irrespective of denomination.6. Education valued: Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth
The “New Lights”
Jonathan Edwards (Ma)
“Sinners in the hands
of an angry God”
George Whitfield (Eng)
Mesopotamia!
Schools and Colleges English perspective
For the aristocratic For leaders, not citizens For males
Puritans Read the bible = Good Christians Mostly boys
New England Primary and secondary
schools early on School time varies
Middle & South More reluctant Tax supported Wealthy = private tutors
Focus Doctrine & dogma Not reason/logic Physical punishment!
College Most to churn out ministers Wealthy = study abroad
Pioneer Presses Libraries uncommon Ben Franklin supported
first library in Pa By 1776,
about 50 public libraries 40 newspapers
News slow to travel = new news is really old news
1. Newspaper medium for communication
2. Zenger Case (1733)a. exposed corruption of Royal
Gov.
b. Sued Zenger for libel
c. Found not guilty. Why?
The Great Game of Politics Two-house legislature
Upper-house Appointed or elected
Lower-house Elected (qualified
voters) Taxes for gov’t Did not care for royal appointed
Governors Withheld Gov. salaries as a way
to manipulate Salaries paid by colonist, not
crown = problematic later
Local level politics Town meetings: direct
democracy functioned Religious and/or property
qualifiers Land fairly easy to come,
but many did not exercise rights to vote
Trusted in the leadership of their “betters”
True democracy still a work in progress but better than in England and Europe
Colonial Folkway Work usually laborious Plenty of food, esp. meat,
but a bit boring Heating hard to come by;
poor craftsmanship, relatively speaking
No running water or plumbing = hard living
Waste management of the day were hogs and buzzards
Amusement Militia drilling Funerals Weddings Lotteries Plays in some colonies Thanksgiving