American Life in the 17th Century

1607-1692

The Chesapeake

Virginia and MarylandHarsh Life: Malaria, Dysentery, and Typhoid.Cut ten years off the life of an Englishmen½ of people didn’t reach 20th BirthdayMostly men in the their late teens or early

20s migrated to region. 6:1 m/f ratioFew familiesPopulation increased toward the end of the

century.

Tobacco

The #1 crop of the region. Some grew it before food crops.

Cultivation led to more movement west into Indian land.

Cultivation grew from 1.5 million pounds in 1630s to 40 million by end of century.

Labor Intensive:◦Indians died too fast◦African slaves cost too much.◦Answer: Indentured Servants

Indentured Servants

Many were unemployed of homeless peopleMortgaged labor in return for passage to New

World and “freedom dues”◦Barrels of Corn◦Suit of Clothes◦Some received LandHeadright System

Whoever paid the passage of laborer received 50 acres of land. Led to huge land owners and growing plantation system.By 1700 Indentured Servants made up ¾ of all immigrants to Virginia and Maryland

Bacon’s Rebellion

House of Burgesses feared that newly freed servants would cause trouble.

Governor Berkeley was left with little answers.

Newly freed men sought to travel west for land, despite peace treaties with Indians.

Government didn’t want to jeopardize fur trade with Indians.

Trouble was brewing

Bacons’ Rebellion

Nathaniel Bacon waged a war on the Indians in 1676. Sparked by Indian attacks on settlers that were

ignored by Berkeley Attacked villages, chased Berkeley out of Jamestown,

and burned the capital. Led to widespread looting and poor uprisings. Bacon suddenly died, killing the rebellion Berkeley then crushed the rebellion and hanged over

20 Rebels Tension between the rich and poor would remain. Led rich farmers to look for a less volatile workforce

(slaves)

Colonial Slavery

Approximately 400,000Africans were brought to the U.S. in the 3 centuries following Columbus’ voyage.

1st slaves: 1619 in Jamestown1670: only around 2,000 in Va.After Bacon’s Rebellion their numbers

increased dramatically.◦Stronger economy◦Distrust of Indentured Servants

Colonial Slavery

1698: Royal African Company lost monopoly on carrying slaves to colonies.◦Led to more colonists getting involved in the

lucrative trade◦Rhode Islander were big traders◦1700-1710: over 10,000 Africans brought to colonies◦1750: Half the population of Va. And outnumbered

whites in S.C. 2:1◦Most were west Africans who had been captured by

other African tribes and sold to European and American traders.

The Middle Passage

Voyage from Africa to New WorldDeath rate as high as 20% in some

voyagesPacked boats to capacityNewport, R.I. and Charleston, S.C. were

main harbors.Most went to West Indies or BrazilVery few free blacks: some owned slaves.

Slave Codes

Laws restricting black freedomsMade slaves and children property for lifeCrime to teach children to read and write

in some coloniesMade clear distinction between Ind.

Servants and slaves.Marriages were illegal in some coloniesDiscrimination Increased

Slave Culture

Created their own language: Gullah, a mixture of English with African languages.

Created own music: Banjo and BongoVirginia tobacco plantations allowed for

closer ties for Africans than in the rice fields of the south. More families and better life in the upper south than deep south. Virginia also saw a more natural increase in slave population than in the deep south where families were scarce.

Southern Society

The growth of slavery led to gaps in social class Land and slave owners controlled the economy and

politics, a system that would last until the Civil War Top:FFV: First Families of Virginia: Lees and Washingtons.

Dominated the House of Burgesses Middle: Small farmers: Largest group: May own a couple of

slaves, but focused on feeding family and keeping land. Freed Indentured Servants Indentured Servants Slaves Few towns in the South due to plantations and agriculture

focus Rivers were chief means of transportation.

New England Society

Family◦More families migrated to New England◦Less disease, cleaner water◦People lived longer◦Larger families: 8 children the average◦Men were the leaders and women were to have

children and take care of the home◦Women were also denied inheritance rights and

land, as it went to their husband

New England Society

Towns◦ More villages than in the South◦ Puritan background led to tighter communities◦ Less Slavery◦ Land given to trusted “proprietors” who helped create and

run towns. Generally these were elders who were well respected.

◦ Most towns had Meetinghouse: place of worship and meetings Village Green: park and place of militant drilling Family parcels: wood lot, farming area, and pasture Towns of over 50 people were required to provide elementary

education◦ 1636 Harvard established

New England Society

More democracy◦Freemen voted in town halls

Elected officials Schoolmasters Road construction

Half-Way Covenant

Partial membership rights to people not yet converted to Puritanism. (1662)

Passed due to low level of conversionsCaused new preaching

◦Jeremiads: Teachings of Jeremiah on Hellfire and brimstone: Scare tactics

◦Tried to scare people into conversion

Salem Witch Trials

Early 1690s Adolescent girls claimed to be bewitched by older women Led to “witch hunt” 1692 Lynchings 20 killed: 19 hanged and 1 pressed. 2 dogs hanged Displayed class differences

◦ Accusers were from poor farming families◦ Accused were higher class: merchants◦ Feared that Puritan ideas were giving way to Yankee

commercialism◦ Ended in 1693 when Governor’s wife was threatened◦ “Witch Hunt” became common term for trying to find a

scapegoat for social resentment or problems.

Salem Witch Trials