Colonial Life from

17th to 18th century

Demographics• 18th century immigration from:

–Germany–France–Scotland

• birth rate / population growth–Abundant resources

Scots-Irish & Germans

• Scots-Irish #1 Euro immigrant group–Initially welcomed – buffer between

Indians & PA–Anti-authority wherever they went

settled• Germans #2 Euro group

–Seen as hard-working farmers–Clung to German traditions rather

than “Anglicizing”

The American

Backcountry

Backcountry was most diverse

section of the English

colonies

Culture of colonies vs. England

• Immigrant influence• African influence (S/Ch)• Frontiersman values

–“Free land”–Superiority to natives

• Self-governance• Religious tolerance (varied)• No aristocracy

–Economics > birth• Social mobility

–More in north than south

Culture of colonies vs. England

Culture – home life

• Family – center of social / economic life–Traditional gender roles

• 90% of families farmed

Culture – home life

• Men relied on wives:–Work land–Raise children–Assist in business

• Women respected / included in family decision making (often)

NE Culture• NE colonists lived longer than

southerners–Better nutrition–Purer water–Cooler climate

• Grandparents!

Education – New England

• Extreme importance–“Old Deluder” laws (MA)

• Elem schools funded – local taxes–Highest colonial literacy rate (by far)–Colonial Primers

Higher Education

• Puritans believed everyone should read bible—very high literacy rate

• Universities to train ministers: Harvard, Yale, William & Mary

The Enlightenment

• Belief that reason & science can be used to obtain knowledge

• Rational explanations for natural phenomena

• World run by mathematical laws, not chance

Enlightenment in America

• Rise of intellectual thought in America

• Benjamin Franklin – Started U Penn – 1st American

Philosophical Society

Education – other colonies

• No public education

• Wealthy relied on private tutors for children

Economy• Mercantilist agricultural econ

–Land = money

• Growth of communities – more professionals needed–Ministers, doctors, teachers, etc.

Economy – Transportation

• Rivers/waterways best options–Most cities on rivers or coast

• Roads not well maintained–Trading posts, taverns, postal

systems

New England Economy

• Cold weather / bad soil –Subsistence farming–No need for slaves

New England Economy

• Dominant industries:–Logging–Shipbuilding–Fishing–Whaling–Rum

Middle Colonies Economy

• Rich soil – many farms 200+ acres

• Most staffed by family / hired help–Few slaves

Middle Colonies Economy

• Exported to Europe & Caribbean–Wheat / corn

• Ports grew into major cities–NYC–Philadelphia

Southern / Chesapeake

Economy• Farms from 100 acres to 2000+

• Cash crops–Tobacco / rice / indigo

• Naval stores

Southern / Chesapeake

Economy• Plantations self-sufficient

• Many rivers – plantations shipped directly–Only major city was Charleston

Governments in colonies

• Executive Branch–Royal & proprietor colonies:

governors appointed

–CT & RI – voters elected

Governments in colonies

• Legislative Branch–Bicameral legislatures–Lower house – popular vote

• Voted on local issues / taxes–Upper house – appointed by king

or proprietor

Governments in colonies

• Judicial Branch–Local magistrates – minor

disputes

–Royal courts – major issues• Presided by royal governor

Voting rights• Property owning white men

• Religious voting restrictions–Halfway Covenant (1662 – MA)–Banned (in NE) by W&M (1689)

Salem Witch Trials 1692

• Girls accused slave woman of being a witch, then accused others

• Everyone panicked• Impossible to prove innocence• If someone was accused, they’d accuse

others to get lesser punishment

Salem Witch Trials 1692

• 19 hanged• 1 pressed with heavy stones• About 12 died in prison

• 200 accused

The Great Awakening

Decline in the church

• 18th C - in religious devotion:–Outside NE – 1:15 church members–NE – 1:5 church members–Sermons seen as cold & impersonal

• Led to a rise in Arminianism (free will, not predestination)

“Established” Churches

• Received tax support• Anglican (C/O England)

–Prosperous farmers & merchants–No bishop in colonies – slow growth–Symbol of English control

“Established” Churches

• Congregationalist (Puritans in MA)

–Independent spirited churches

–Complex doctrine – many interpretations / styles

–Called “Old lights”

Great Awakening• Series of Protestant revivals

–Religious conversions• Not unified movement

–Different groups/ places/ times–NE 1730s / Virginia 1750s & 60s

Jonathan Edwards• Influential

evangelist

• “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”• Famous sermon

scared people about God’s wrath

George Whitefield• Most popular

evangelist• Preached

outdoor sermons to 1000s in nearly every colony

George Whitefield

suffered from strabismus

(crossed eyes)

Effects of Great Awakening

• Schism – Old Lights & New Lights• NE Puritanism disintegrates• of Baptists and Methodists• of denominational colleges• Evangelical principle & revivalism• Need for toleration, dissent, &

individual decision-making

Newspapers & publications

Poor Richard’s Almanack

• Published annually by Ben Franklin 1732-58

• Made him famous

John Peter Zenger• NYC newspaper publisher• NY gov corruption• Libel case (1735)

–Cause célèbre• Innocent verdict

–Freedom of the press