ap us history ch. 4. characteristics of southern colonies disease took its toll early (10yrs cut...
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Characteristics of Southern Colonies
Disease took its toll early (10yrs cut from life expectancy)50% of babies died
Settlements grew slowlyMen outnumber women 6:1
Colonies have their early struggles but the colonists push through these tough times.
The South was bad for settlement but great for tobaccoTobacco= cash crop/savior of the south
Supply Price = Farmers plant more/more land
More Crop = Need for More Labor
Where will this new source of labor come from?
Indentured Servants: Chief source of labor for the early colonies was white indentured servants from England. 4-7 yr terms in exchange for passage to new
world and eventual “freedom dues”
Reasons for Ind. Servants:1. The Settlers (south) were not reproducing fast
enough2. African slaves are to expensive3. Indians die to quickly
Headright System:Whoever paid for the passage of the
indentured servants got 50 acres of land (Masters are reaping the benefits)
As time progressed land became more scarce and the indentured servants would have to hire themselves back out.
By 1700 over 100,000 indentured servants had come to New World.¾ of population in Maryland and Virginia
Bacon’s Rebellion:16761,000 indentured servants/poor farmers under
Nathaniel Bacon went on a rampage of plundering and pilfering
Reason: Colonial government would not protect rural farmers from Indian attacks.
Why did this scare Virginians?
What is the Result? Plantation owners (minority) looking for less
troublesome workers. “Eyes turn to Africa”
In 17th Century most African slave labor still went to sugar plantations in Caribbean. African slaves don’t become substantial source of
labor in North America until 1700.
Reasons for Increase in African Slaves:1. Bacon’s Rebellion2. Wages went up in England = less poor whites
coming to New World3. In 1698 the Royal African Company lost its charter
(had monopoly on slave trade)
By 1750 African Slaves = ½ Population in Virginia and outnumber whites in S.C. 2:1
Middle Passage: Name given to the trip from West Africa to the New World on slave ships. These trips were fatal due to conditions (20% death
rate)
Slavery began for economic reasons but by 1700 racial differences begin molding the American system.
Slave Codes:1. As early as 1662 (S.C)2. Made slavery extremely tough life (lifetime terms for slave
and children)3. Created a distinction between white servants and black
slaves
Deep South (Caribbean): Toughest conditions for slaves (heat, work is
harder, no women, high death rate)
Chesapeake:Tobacco is an easier crop to workPlantations bigger (more slaves) and closer
together so there is more contact with friends and relatives.
More females = family life is possible = natural reproduction = less cost for masters.
Revolts:Many revolts due to a “natural desire for
freedom”
Stono Revolt:1739Slave revolt in S.C.; slaves attempted to reach
Spanish Florida but were stopped by colonial militia.
Slavery defines the social structure of the SouthAs it spread the gap between wealthy and poor
increased
Large Spread Out PlantationsNo real towns (very rural society)
Southern Life revolved around plantation system!
Southern Aristocratic Structure
1. Plantation Owners: hard working businesslike lot. They owned land and controlled the politics but nothing like the aristocrats in Europe. This is a distinct American Culture
2. Small Farmers: far below plantation owners. Owned small plots and few slaves. There were subsistence farmers. (farmed to survive).
3. Landless Whites: former indentured servants. No land, so many had to hire themselves out.
4. Indentured Servants: Serving 4-7yr service terms
5. African Slaves:
Characteristics of Northern Colonies:1. Settlers added 10yrs to lifespan (clean water,
cool temp = less spread of disease)
2. Migrated as families, not singles (natural reproduction)Long life= stability (multi-generational guidance)
3. Small villages/towns: result in close knit groups (religion, geography)Towns were orderly (Education, church led to
democratic gov)
Halfway Convent & Salem Witch TrialsAt this time the zeal of the Puritans seems to be
diminishing
Halfway Convent: The practice that children of the baptized but not yet converted “elect” could also be baptized. Churches wanted membership up Many thought this weakened the Puritan church
No distinction between “elect” and church membership anymore. Jeremiad: form of preaching, preachers scolded parishioners for
their waning piety (warned of the pain of Hell)
Salem Witch Trials (1692): A group of young girls accused an older women of being a witch and practicing witchcraft on them
New England Way of Life1. Puritan Work Ethic:
NE had bad soil = no real need for slaves, but there is a need for industry
Puritans were hard workers Bad soil and strong sermons = not as many
profit hungry farmers
2. Indian Relations Ideals of land differed greatly
Whites = money, Indians = life/religion
New England Way of Life3. Good Harbors
They were expert ship builders and fisherman (cod)
4. Movement B/C there was bad soil many settlers spread out
across the continent (west) which spread NE ideals Organized towns Democracy Schools Religion Etc.
Early Settlers Days and Ways (1600-1700)The overwhelming majority of settlers wee
small farmersCompared to England the colonists of
America lived in abundanceCheap LandLots of FoodHigh Wages (3x more than England)
Americans have their own cultureThose who tried to live by old world society led
to rebellion (Bacon’s)
Early Settlers Days and Ways (1600-1700) Overall New World = Equality and
Democracy (for whites)
Colonists are framing their own identity by 1700
1. Self Government2. Self Taxation3. Land Owners4. Religious Freedom
Look for distinguishing characteristics the colonies shared!
America has a distinct social, economic and political structure: An “American Way of Life”
Other British colonies DID NOT
There is serious population growth in the New World
1700: 300,000 people1775: 2.5 Million people
Most of this population boom is from natural fertility (whites in the North, blacks in the South)
Political Consequences for England1700: 20 English for 1 colonists1775: 3 – 1
We begin to see a power shift but colonial focus is still to the East (England) not West yet.
America is a melting pot from the beginning
1.Germans: 6% by 1775 Fleeing Religious persecution, economic
oppression and ravages of war. Settled mainly in Pa (Pa Dutch)
Built solid, permanent homes No deep rooted loyalty to English (TREND)
2. Scots-Irish: 7% by 1775 Did not get along w/ Catholics in Ireland,
economic (restrictions by English on wool) Settled in Pa (West) down Alleghany barrier
down to S.C. Had no love for English (treatment in Ireland,
English made them move)(TREND)
3. Other European Groups: 5% by 1775 No loyalty to British (TREND)
4. Africans: 20% by 1775 90% of African population is in the South by 1775 (Slaves)
Diversity NE: mostly original Puritan immigrants = least ethnic
diversity Middle: bulk of white immigrants = variety of people but
mostly white South: Black and White (Diverse)
Mixed African tribes = Unique African American culture forming.
We see the foundations for a multicultural American National Identity!
Compared to Europe, America is a shining land of equality and opportunity (except slavery)
1. Cheap/Accessible Land-Majority of population were small farmers.
2. Social Mobility- possible to go from indenture d servant to landowner (Rare in OW)
3. Wages are higher- 3x higher then England4. Freedom of Religion5. Democracy in infancy
Prior to Revolution we see rising worries of “Europeanization” in NW
10% of Bostonians/Philadelphians owned 2/3 of taxable wealth.
Poor in NW increased (Widows, Orphans from war) but still less then England
NE farm size shrinking (no land left) due to generation of dividing
South: wealth in hands of few (plantation owners)
Slaves could not dream of escalating in class (Whites feared uprising)
1. Agriculture = biggest workforce/leading industry 90% of population involved South: tobacco, rice; Middle: Grain “Bread” colonies
2. Christian minister- most honored position (remember why many colonists came)
3. Physicians- not highly esteemed (poor training)4. Lawyers- were looked down upon b/c noisy trouble making
windbags5. Fishing-
major industry in NE (Bad farm land, rocky) Stimulated Ship building industry More money then in Incan/Mayan conquests
6. Manufacturing (Secondary importance) Not many skilled craftsman in colonies so they are expensive
(Rely on England) Lumber is the most important product (1/3 of English ships built
in NW)
Trade imbalancesPopulation boom in colonies means they need
more goods from England but England doesn’t need more goods from NW = money problem
Results:Search for new foreign markets = French West
Indies/SpainMolasses Act (1733): Prohibits the colonists
trading with French West Indies.Becomes a source of REVOLUTIONARY FUEL and
leads to increased smuggling/bribing
Great Awakening: period of religious revival in American religious history.
The religious zeal (fire) of the Puritans had steadily decreased as time went on in colonies: WHY?
They are not being persecuted anymoreTime has passed (Think of retreat highs)
Two burdens of the Puritan Church
1. Elaborate theology2. Compromising efforts to liberalize
membership requirements
Biggest Threat to Puritan Church = Arminianism
Jacob Arminius preached that individual free will not God’s divine decree determined a person’s fate (anti-predestination)
All humans not just elect could receive God’s free grace!
Jonathan Edwards: preached of the follies of believing in salvation
through good works and affirmed the need for complete dependence on God’s grace.Painted the picture of Hell and Eternal Torments in
detailGreat orator
George Whitefield:Great orator, it is said he could make people
weep by merely speakingLed tremendous revival meetings in NE
Old Lights v. New Light
The Old Lights (orthodox clergy) did not agree with the emotional spirituality of New Lights b/c they get their authority from education.This create schisms which created more denominations
and more competitiveness in churches
MOST IMPROTANT: It broke down sectional/denominational lines among Americans and was the first spontaneous mass movement of people.
UNITY!
Colonies had Two House Legislature
Upper House: appointed by the crown in royal colonies (8) or proprietor (3)(2) colonies self-governed (Conn, RI)
Lower House: Elected by the people (property owners)
Self Taxation w/ Representation = colonies hold dear to themselves
GovernorsOften able, some very corruptHard to enforce laws from 3,000 miles away
(colonists saw them as bothersome)Colonists wouldn’t pay them if they didn’t get
their way
Colonial AssembliesFound ways to assert authority and get their
own way (don’t pay governors)
Local Governments
North: Town Meeting (Fit their society)Middle: Mixed government (Town meeting/county gov)South: County Government (more autocratic)
Remember: The colonies have been left to their own vices to run their own governments. (Independent minds)
Seeds of Democracy are planted in AmericaFree speech/press: Zenger, representative gov, equality
of economic opportunity, toleration, education, etc.
Colonists are still English in most customs but we begin to see trends towards a new “American Culture”
REMEMBER:Colonists now have fewer ties to England, its
been over 100 years since Jamestown.They feel like their own nation = natural desire
for freedom
Similarities of Colonies by 1750
1. Basically English in language and custom2. Protestant in religion3. Some degree of ethnic/religious tolerance (not
blacks)4. Social mobility possible (not slaves)5. Self government (not complete democracy)6. Communication was improving (roads, waterways)
Like a Patchwork Quilt each part slightly different but held together by common
origins, ways of life, and common beliefs in toleration, economic development and self-
rule
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