Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution :Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution An Introduction


Why did the 13 Colonies rebel? :Why did the 13 Colonies rebel? England controlled 32 colonies in North America. Yet only the 13 rebelled. Why? The distinctive social, economic, and political structure. The gradual emergence of an American way of life.


Population Growth :Population Growth Population 1700: less than 300,000 people. (20,000 African-Americans) Population 1775: 2.5 million (500,000 African-American) Most of population growth due to fertility. Average age: 16 Population growth = increased political power.


Ethnic Diversity :Ethnic Diversity


Ethnic Diversity :Ethnic Diversity Colonial America was a melting pot. Germans settled in Pennsylvania. (1/3 of population in colony) Clung to German language and customs. Scots-Irish moved to Pennsylvania as well. Superb frontiersmen who clashed with the Indians. (Fiercely independent)


Ethnic Diversity :Ethnic Diversity 90% of slaves in the South. New England had the least diversity. Middle Colonies was the most diverse. These various ethnic groups intermarried and laid foundation for new American identity. African and Indian identities transformed as well.


Structure of Colonial Society :Structure of Colonial Society No titled nobility. Most free whites were small farmers. Upward social mobility possible. Elite merchants dominated New England and Middle Colonies. Population growth, coupled with less land, led to smaller landholdings in New England.


Structure of Colonial Society :Structure of Colonial Society In South, great planters dominated society. Lower classes in all colonies bolstered by influx of indentured servants. Less fortunate were the paupers and convicts. African-Americans were the permanent underclass.


Occupations :Occupations Most honored profession: Christian ministry. Doctors not held in high esteem. (A barber could be a substitute. Epidemics were a nightmare. Lawyers looked down upon. (Regarded as “windbags”)


The Colonial Economy :The Colonial Economy 90% of people involved in agriculture. Virginia and Maryland: tobacco and wheat. Middle Colonies: grain. Colonists enjoyed a high standard of living. New England: involved Cod fishing and shipbuilding. (1/3 of British merchant marine American built)


The Colonial Economy :The Colonial Economy Commerce: trade with West Indies. Triangular Trade likewise profitable. (Rum=slaves=molasses) Emphasis on consumption. (Source of unity) American economy grew faster than British demand. (Colonists seek markets) Needed money to buy British goods.


Colonial Travel :Colonial Travel Transportation was a problem. Until 1700s roads didn’t even connect major cities. Mostly dangerous dirt roads. 9 days from Boston to Philadelphia. Taverns were set up along travel routes.


Religion & the Great Awakening :Religion & the Great Awakening Top three religions were the Congregationalists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians. Anglicanism failed to dominate. Many Congregationalist and Presbyterian leaders would later support rebellion. Presence of religious toleration.


Religion & the Great Awakening :Religion & the Great Awakening Religious fever lessened by early 1700s. Great Awakening (1730s & 1740s) Jonathan Edwards ignited the religious revival in the colonies. (Saved by grace) Edwards was followed by the eloquent George Whitefield. Many came to hear Whitefield speak.


Religion and the Great Awakening :Religion and the Great Awakening “Old” lights versus “New” lights. New zeal for missionary work. Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth founded. (“New” light centers) First spontaneous mass movement in American history. Brought colonists together.


Education :Education In England, education restricted to aristocrats. New England broke with this idea. (Need good Christians to read the Bible) Schools established in Middle Colonies and in the South. (Southern school system hampered by logistics)


Education :Education Focus on religion and classical languages. New England colleges trained ministers. University of Pennsylvania was the first American college free of denominational control. (Founded by Ben Franklin) Americans becoming more educated.


Culture :Culture Americans enthralled by all things British. American painters went to England. (Few patrons of the arts here) Architecture imported as well. (Georgian) Colonial poetry undistinguished. (Expect for Phillis Wheatley) Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack. (Also our chief scientist)


The Press :The Press Most Americans couldn’t afford large quantities of books. (Little time to read too.) On Eve of Revolution there were about 40 colonial newspapers. Powerful venue for airing grievances. Zenger case enhanced freedom of press.


Politics :Politics Governors in most states chosen by king or proprietors. Colonies had two-house legislative bodies. Upper house (appointed) Lower house (elected) Self-taxation through representation cherished.


Politics :Politics Colonial assemblies controlled salary of governors. Administration at local level varied. New England: town meetings. South: county government. Property qualifications for voting prevented universal male suffrage.


Politics :Politics Colonists enjoyed: Educational opportunities Free speech Free press Freedom of assembly Representative Government.


Colonial Life :Colonial Life Americans ate well Unheated buildings & poorly heated homes. No running water. Candlelight or whale oil lamps. Garbage collectors pigs and buzzards. Funerals and Weddings (Social gatherings)


Colonial Life :Colonial Life Lotteries Thanksgiving and Christmas (except New England) New England: spiritual lectures. On the frontier: house raising. South: card playing, square dances, horseracing, and stage plays.


Colonial Life :Colonial Life All English in language and customs Mostly Protestant Possibility of upward social mobility. All believed in self-rule, toleration, and economic opportunity. Shared history, culture, and experiences brought colonists together.