I. The Land Bridge theory

• I. The Land Bridge theory.

• End of Ice Age diminished glaciers over North America.
• Land Bridge emerged linking Asia & NA across Bering Sea.
• People walked across the "bridge" before the sea level rose
• The Land Bridge occurred around 35,000 years ago.

• II. Many peoples

• Groups spread across North, Central, and South America.
• Tribes emerged with an estimated 2,000 languages. Notably:
• Incas: Peru, with elaborate network of roads and bridges linking their empire.
• Mayas: Yucatan Peninsula, with their step pyramids.
• Aztecs: Mexico, with step pyramids and huge sacrifices of conquered peoples.

Development of corn or maize around 5,000 B.C. in Mexico was revolutionary in that:

• Development of corn or maize around 5,000 B.C. in Mexico was revolutionary in that:

• Didn't have to be hunter-gatherers, could settle down and be farmers.
• Began to establish permanent settlements
• 1. No large concentration of pop. Like in SA or Mesoamerica
• 2. Scattered pop. allowed Europeans to defeat Native Americans easier
• Corn arrived in the present day U.S. around 1,200 B.C.

• Pueblo Indians

• 1st American corn growers (12,00 B.C.)

• They lived in adobe houses and pueblos. Pueblos like apartment complex often beneath cliffs.

• Developed elaborate irrigation systems to draw water away from rivers to grown corn.

Mound Builders

• Mound Builders

• Built huge ceremonial, burial mounds- located in the Ohio Valley.

• Established large settlements after introduction of corn

• Cahokia, near East St. Louis today, held 40,000 people.

Eastern Indians

• Eastern Indians

• Grew corn, beans, and squash in three sister farming:

• Corn grew in a stalk providing a trellis for beans, beans grew up the stalk, squash's broad leaves kept the sun off the ground, kept the moisture in the soil.
• This group likely had the best (most diverse) diet of all NA Indians and is typified by the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw (South) and Iroquois (North).

• Iroquois Confederation

• Hiawatha legendary leader

• Closest approximation to Mex., SA nation-states

• The Iroquois Confederation- group of 5 tribes in New York state.

• Matrilineal- authority and possessions passed down through the female line.

• Each tribe kept their independence, met occasionally to discuss matters of common interest, like war/defense.

• Political/ military alliance menaced neighbors for over a century

Native Americans had different view of things as compared to Europeans.

• Native Americans had different view of things as compared to Europeans.

• Native Americans-no man owned the land, the tribe did. (Europeans- private property)

• Indians- nature was mixed with many spirits. (Europeans-Christian and monotheistic)

• Indians- nature was sacred. (Europeans- nature and land to be subdued and put to use).

• Indians- little or no concept or interest in money. (Europeans- loved money or gold)

The 1st Europeans to come to America were the Norse (Vikings from Norway).

• The 1st Europeans to come to America were the Norse (Vikings from Norway).

• 1000 AD, the Vikings landed in Newfoundland (L’Anse aux Meadows)

• No strong nation- state to support other voyages, settlements abandoned

• Growing power of nations, governments wanted contact with world for trade or conquest

• Christian Crusaders fought in Palestine regain the Holy Land from Muslims.

• Mixing of East and West – European desire for Asian spices, goods

Marco Polo traveled to China stirred European interest.

• Marco Polo traveled to China stirred European interest.

• Desire for spices, East to West (Asia to Europe) trade flourished-had to be overland, initiated new exploration down around Africa in hopes of an easier (all water) route.

• Portuguese wanted a better way to get to the Spice Islands, eventually rounding Africa's southern Cape of Good Hope.

• New developments: Caravel, compass, astrolabe- allowed sea travel to be safer more reliable

• Opened sub- Saharan Africa to European exploration, exploitation

• VI. Slave trade begins

• 1st slave trade across Sahara Desert.

• Later, along West African coast. Slave traders purposely busted up tribes, families in order prevent resistance.

• Slaves wound up on sugar plantations the Portuguese had set up on the tropical islands off Africa's coast.

• Spain watched Portugal's success with exploration and slaving and wanted a piece of the pie.

Convinced King and Queen of Spain to finance expedition to bypass Africa route to Asia

• Convinced King and Queen of Spain to finance expedition to bypass Africa route to Asia

• 1492 “discovers” America

• Voyage eventually leads to beginnings of interdependent global system

• Europe would provide the market, capital, technology.

• Africa would provide the labor.

• The New World would provide the raw materials (gold, soil, lumber).

I. Causes biological flip-flop of Old and New Worlds.

• I. Causes biological flip-flop of Old and New Worlds.

• traded plants, foods, animals, germs

• II. Columbian Exchange:

• From the New World (America) to the Old

• corn, potatoes, tobacco, beans, peppers, manioc, pumpkin, squash, tomato, wild rice, etc. also, syphilis

• From the Old World to the New

• cows, pigs, horses, wheat, sugar cane, apples, cabbage, citrus, carrots, Kentucky bluegrass, etc.

• devastating diseases (smallpox, yellow fever, malaria), as Indians had no immunities.

• The Indians had no immunities in their systems built up over generations.

• An estimated 90% of all pre-Columbus Indians died, mostly due to disease.

Spain secured claim to Americas from Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• Spain secured claim to Americas from Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• 1500’s dominant explorers/ colonizers of Americas

• Conquistadores explored and conquered much of N and S America

• Vasco Balboa: "discovered“ the Pacific Ocean across isthmus of Panama

• Ferdinand Magellan: circumnavigates the globe (1st to do so)

• Ponce de Leon: touches and names Florida looking for legendary Fountain of Youth

• Hernando Cortes: enters Florida, travels up into present day Southeastern U.S., dies and is "buried“ in Mississippi River

• Francisco Pizarro: conquers Incan Empire of Peru and begins shipping tons of gold/silver back to Spain. This huge influx of precious metals made European prices skyrocket (inflation).

• Francisco Coronado: ventured into current Southwest U.S. looking for legendary El Dorado, city of gold. He found the Pueblo Indians.

I. Flood of silver from SA, Mexico caused inflation in Europe

• I. Flood of silver from SA, Mexico caused inflation in Europe

• A. Led to rise of capitalism and commercial banking, paid for international trade

• II. Encomienda system established

• A. Indians "commended“ or given to Spanish landlords

• B. The idea was that Indians would work and be converted to Christianity, but it was basically just slavery on a sugar plantation guised as missionary work.

Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan.

• Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan.

• Cortez went from Cuba to present day Vera Cruz, then marched over mountains to the Aztec capital.

• Montezuma, Aztec king, thought Cortez might be the god Quetzalcoatl who was due to re-appear

• Montezuma welcomed Cortez into Tenochtitlan.

• The Spanish lust for gold led Montezuma to attack on the noche triste, sad night. Cortez and men fought their way out, but it was smallpox that eventually beat the Indians.

• The Spanish then destroyed Tenochtitlan, building the Spanish capital (Mexico City) exactly on top of the Aztec city.

• A new race of people emerged, mestizos, a mix of Spanish and Indian blood.

Reasons for English colonization of the Americas

• Reasons for English colonization of the Americas

• 1500’s growing population

• New enclosure laws – less land for poor

• Wool industry collapsed

• Population became mobile (looking for jobs)

• Tradition of primogeniture = 1st born son inherits ALL father’s land. Younger sons tried their luck with fortunes elsewhere, like America.

• Early1600s, joint-stock company perfected (investors put money into the company with hopes for a good return), provided financing for colonization

• Joint-stock companies usually did not exist long, stockholders invested to make a profit, then quickly sell for profit a few years later

• Charter gave settlers same rights as Englishmen

• Joint Stock Company (Virginia Company) given charter by King James I to settle in New World

1608 Captain John Smith took over control and whipped the colonists into shape, gave order and discipline, highlighted by his “no work, no food” policy.

• 1608 Captain John Smith took over control and whipped the colonists into shape, gave order and discipline, highlighted by his “no work, no food” policy.

• Colonists had to eat cats, dogs, rats, even other people. One fellow wrote of eating “powdered wife.”

• 1610 a relief party headed by Lord De La Warr arrived to alleviate the suffering.

• 1625 out of an original overall total of 8,000 would-be settlers, only 1,200 had survived.

At first English seen potential allies, relations grew worse when English began to raid Indian food supplies

• At first English seen potential allies, relations grew worse when English began to raid Indian food supplies

• De La Warr began “total war” against Indians

• Early 1600’s clashes decimated Indians pushed them westward, removed them from ancestral lands

• European colonization disrupted way of life

• Disease took out population

• Trade intensified competition among tribes

• Tribes along Atlantic seaboard felt effects the most

• When colonists could grow their own food they had little use for Indians, Europeans wanted their land

Tobacco savior of Virginia Colony

• Tobacco savior of Virginia Colony

• cash crop- Jamestown had found its gold.
• Tobacco created a greed for land- heavily depleted the soil and ruined the land.

• Representative self-government in Virginia, when in 1619, settlers created the House of Burgesses, a committee to work out local issues. This set America on a pathway to self-rule

• 1619 first Africans sold as slaves

1634 founded by Lord Baltimore as Catholic refuge (from Protestant English)

• 1634 founded by Lord Baltimore as Catholic refuge (from Protestant English)

• Second plantation colony

• Huge estates given to Catholic families, poorer, Protestants settled there also, created friction between two groups

• Tobacco main crop, labor source was indentured servants (slaves came in late 1600’s)

• Religious toleration

• Permitted freedom of worship to all Christians

• 1649- Act of Toleration, guaranteed religious toleration to all Christians, but decreed the death penalty to Jews, atheists, others who didn’t believe in the divinity of Jesus

• More Catholics in Maryland than any English speaking colony in the New World

Decline of Spanish power led British to secure Caribbean Islands

• Decline of Spanish power led British to secure Caribbean Islands

• Sugar main crop

• Labor intensive, capital intensive

• Needed to be wealthy to start plantation

• Caused large numbers of slaves to be imported

• Slave Codes established

• 1700 slaves outnumber settlers 4:1

• defined the legal status of slaves and the rights of the masters. They were typically strict and exacted severe punishments for offenders.

• Sugar plantation system caused islands to depend on American colonies for food, basic supplies

• Smaller farmers left islands and settled in southern colonies

• 1670 group arrives in Carolina, brings slaves from Barbados

• Slave codes adopted in Carolina 1696

• Slave codes became model for statutes governing slavery across colonies

Developed close economic ties with “sugar islands”

• Developed close economic ties with “sugar islands”

• Many immigrated from region , brought slave trade with them

• Traded Indian slaves throughout colonies

• Rice major export crop

• African slaves had knowledge to grow rice

• Slaves had natural immunity to malaria

• Ideal laborers for rice plantations

• By 1710 majority of people in Carolinas were African slaves

• Charles Town major seaport

• Diverse tolerant community

• Attracted French Protestant refugees

• Caused friction with Spain

Wild northern expanse of Carolina

• Wild northern expanse of Carolina

• Outcasts and religious dissenters

• Raised tobacco and other crops on small farms, little need for slaves

• Distinctive traits: irreligious, hospitable to pirates, spirit of resistance to authority, , democratic, independent minded, least aristocratic of 13 colonies

• 1712 separated from S.C.

1733-Last colony to be “planted”

• 1733-Last colony to be “planted”

• Savannah major port

• Established as buffer between English, Spanish

• Only colony to receive money from English government

• Founded by prison reform group, major leader James Oglethorpe

• Debtors from England sent there

• Diverse communities

• Religious toleration for all except Catholics

• Least populous colony

• Restrictive slavery laws

Established different patterns of settlement than plantation/southern colonies

• Established different patterns of settlement than plantation/southern colonies

• Different economies than plantation/southern colonies

• Different set of values than plantation/southern colonies

• Distinctive regional characteristics began to develop during this time

Social unrest and rise of Calvinism led to attraction to Puritanism

• Social unrest and rise of Calvinism led to attraction to Puritanism

• Many from economically depressed areas, Puritanism provided comfort

• King James I harassed Puritan separatists, went to Holland

Looked for haven where they could be free to worship and live

• Looked for haven where they could be free to worship and live

• 1620- Negotiated with Virginia Company, missed destination landed in New England

• Leader Myles Standish

• Signed Mayflower Compact- set up crude government, submit to the will of the majority, first step toward self government

• Male settlers met in open discussion town meetings

First winter took heavy toll (44 of 102 survived), nobody left colony

• First winter took heavy toll (44 of 102 survived), nobody left colony

• Next year bountiful harvests, Pilgrims saw some sign of success

• Found economic success in fish, fur, lumber

• William Bradford early leader

• Colony never important politically or economically

• Significant for moral and spiritual qualities, established pattern in New England

• 1691- Merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony

Separatist Puritans wanted “purified” form of Christianity, not welcome in England, still members of Church of England

• Separatist Puritans wanted “purified” form of Christianity, not welcome in England, still members of Church of England

• 1629 more moderate group secured royal charter, formed Mass. Bay Company

• Used charter as a form of constitution, had advantage of being out of the reach of royal authority

• Well equipped group settles 1630, larger scale than previous settlements

• Continuing turmoil in England (Great Migration), more people left (70,000) only about 20,000 came Mass. Many others went to Caribbean

• John Winthrop gov. of Bay colony for 19 years (came because “called by God”)

• Important industries fishing, shipbuilding

• Became biggest, most influential colony in New England

Benefitted from shared sense of purpose, idea of “covenant” with God

• Benefitted from shared sense of purpose, idea of “covenant” with God

• “We shall be a city upon a hill”

• Believed they had a covenant with God, society a model to humanity

Common convictions shaped life

• Common convictions shaped life

• All free adult males, that were members of Puritan Congregations (Congregational Church) had right to vote, participate in political life

• Three-fifths of adult males enjoyed privileges

• Town governments were more inclusive, all male property holders could participate, all business decided by majority vote

• Was not a democracy

• All people paid taxes

• “Freemen” voted for governor and representative assembly (General Court)

• Religious leaders had enormous influence, govt. duty to enforce religious rules

• Congregations had right to hire, fire ministers

• Clergy could not hold political office

• Limited endorsement of separation of church and state

• Protestant ethic emerges- serious commitment to work, worldly pursuits

• For Puritans hellfire was very real

Challenge to Puritan orthodoxy from Anne Hutchinson, holy life no sure way to salvation, why bother with following God’s laws (antinomianism)

• Challenge to Puritan orthodoxy from Anne Hutchinson, holy life no sure way to salvation, why bother with following God’s laws (antinomianism)

• 1638- Banished from colony

• Roger Williams radical separatist, wanted clean break from English church

• Challenged legality of Bay Colony charter, taking land from Indians

• Did not want civil government to regulate religion

• 1635- Banished from colony

• Williams established religious tolerance in Rhode Island

• Most liberal of all colonies

• Opposed special privilege, provided freedom of opportunity

• Settlements consisted of exiles and malcontents from Bay Colony

• Strongly Independent colony

Spread of English led to conflict with Indians

• Spread of English led to conflict with Indians

• Epidemics left them with no position to resist English

• 1637 Pequot War – English destroy Pequot (in CT) led to forty years of uneasy peace

• English tried to convert natives, put them in praying towns (early reservations?)

• Only hope for resistance was in unity

• 1675 King Phillip (Metacom) led series of attacks on English

• 1676 King Phillips War ended, slowed westward advance of English settlement, ended Indian resistance in New England

1643 New England Confederation (two Mass. And two CT colonies)

• 1643 New England Confederation (two Mass. And two CT colonies)

• Purpose: defense, inter-colonial problems

• England did not provide support b/c of Civil Wars, let colonies become semiautonomous (salutary neglect)

• Each colony had two votes

• Exclusive Puritan club

• Milestone toward colonial unity

• 1660 Royalists restored (Stuart Restoration) in England, Charles II takes more active role

• 1662-Gives Connecticut a sea to sea grant, legitimized squatter settlements

• 1663 Rhode Island receives new charter

• 1684 Bay colony charter revoked

1686 Dominion of New England established

• 1686 Dominion of New England established

• Created by royal authority, controlled from London

• Promoted English Navigation Laws, control trade within English colonies to benefit England, despised by colonists

• Colonies existed to benefit mother country

• Policy known as mercantilism, basically political control of the economy by the state

• 1651-1696 British pass series of Navigation Acts that spell out goods to be sold, and put the British government in charge of trade

• Unintended consequence smuggling became popular

• Sir Edmund Andros head of Dominion

• Restrictions on courts, press, mail, town meetings, schools; revoked land titles

• Tax colonies without consent, enforced Navigation Laws

Glorious Revolution ended Dominion

• Glorious Revolution ended Dominion

• 1691 Mass. Made a royal colony

• Royal gov. appointed

• ALL qualified males could vote

• 1681-1691 colonists resist royal authority

• Monarchs relax control of colonial trade, begin period of salutary neglect again

• Residue: more English officials in America, prevented rise of local leaders, resentment toward England

17th century Dutch emerged as major commercial, naval power

• 17th century Dutch emerged as major commercial, naval power

• Challenged England

• Leading colonial power

• 1609 Henry Hudson filed Dutch claim to New York area

• 1623-1624 New Netherland planted (Dutch West India Company)

• New Amsterdam established for fur trade, quick profit for stockholders, not democratic

• cosmopolitan population, landed aristocracy

• Land granted for people who would settle 50 people on them (patroons)

Dutch directors incompetent

• Dutch directors incompetent

• Shareholders wanted profit

• Indians attacked New Amsterdam (Dutch erected wall for defense, later became Wall Street)

• New England hostile to growth, wanted to attack Dutch, stopped by Mass. veto

• Sweden planted colonies on Delaware R.

• Dutch attacked Swedes, absorbed into Dutch colony

Regarded by English as intruders, attacked by English navy and surrendered

• Regarded by English as intruders, attacked by English navy and surrendered

• Became New York

• English had strategic harbor in middle of colonies

• Autocratic (self- governance) spirit remained, also influences of architecture and place names

Quakers, began in England 1600’s

• Quakers, began in England 1600’s

• “quaked” with religious conviction

• Refused to support Church of England with taxes, serve in military

• William Penn establishes an asylum in New World

• 1681 receives land grant from crown

• Best advertised of colonies

• Welcomed all types of settlers

• Wanted forward looking settlers, liberal land policy

• Attracted many immigrants

Many settlers already there- along banks of Delaware River

• Many settlers already there- along banks of Delaware River

• Philadelphia was well planned city

• Tolerant of Indians

• Many came from other regions, non-Quaker settlers undermined this treatment

Government liberal

• Government liberal

• Representative assembly elected by landowners

• Freedom of worship for all

• Death penalty only for treason and murder

• No plans for military defense

• Dislike of slavery (important by early 1800’s)

• Liberal policies attracted rich mix of ethnic groups

• Quakers good businessmen

• Exporters of grain, other foodstuffs

• New Jersey started out as small Quaker settlements

• 1702 New Jersey made a royal colony

• Delaware had own assembly, under control of Pennsylvania until Revolutionary War

Middle colonies had fertile soil, known as “bread colonies”

• Middle colonies had fertile soil, known as “bread colonies”

• Rivers- ease of travel, brought people to backcountry

• Landholdings were intermediate in size

• Ethnically diverse, religious toleration

• Economic, social democracy found in middle colonies

Population growing

• Population growing

• Permanent settlements established

• Transportation, communication improving

• British kept hands off policy

• Colonists developed own churches, governments, networks of trade

Disease took toll on population

• Disease took toll on population

• Caused region to grow slowly

• Men outnumbered women 6:1

• Hard to form families

• Eventually resistance to disease, presence of more women allowed region’s population to grow

Chesapeake good for growing tobacco

• Chesapeake good for growing tobacco

• exhausted soil, constant movement looking for more fertile land

• production depressed worldwide prices

• Needed labor- Indians died too quickly, African slaves too expensive

• England had surplus of laborers, turned to indentured servitude

• By 1700 more than 100,000 indentured servants came to the region

• Eventually prime land became scarce, land owners did not want to give up land

• Freed workers had to hire out for low wages

Headright System:

• Headright System:

• Each Virginian got 50 acres for each person whose passage they paid.

• Indenture Contract:

• 5-7 years.
• Promised “freedom dues” [land, money]
• Forbidden to marry.
• 1610-1614: only 1 in 10 outlived their indentured contracts

Landless, penniless freemen

• Landless, penniless freemen

• Single, young

• No women, money

• Only land in backcountry

• VA Gov. Berkeley- friendly policies toward Indians, monopoly on fur trade

• Did not retaliate after Indian attack

• 1676 Nathaniel Bacon and followers, attacked Indians , chased gov. from Jamestown and burned town

• Bacon dies from disease, Berkeley captures and hangs 20 rebels

Exposed resentments between inland frontiersmen/landless former servants against gentry on coastal plantations.

• Exposed resentments between inland frontiersmen/landless former servants against gentry on coastal plantations.

• Socio-economic class differences/clashes between rural/urban communities would continue throughout American history.

• Upper class planters searched for laborers less likely to rebel- black slaves

Majority of African slaves arrive after 1700

• Majority of African slaves arrive after 1700

• Wages rise in England, shrink pool of laborers

• Mid-1680’s black slaves outnumber whites in plantation colonies

• Most from west Africa, high death rate on slave ships

• Newport, R.I. and Charlestown, S.C. large slave markets

• South, British and New England merchants all benefitted from trade

Some early slaves gained freedom, as numbers increased white colonists reacted to perceived threat

• Some early slaves gained freedom, as numbers increased white colonists reacted to perceived threat

• 1662 first slave codes in VA (blacks and children property, could not learn to read, write)

• Slavery transformed from economic to economic and racial institution.
• Early 1600s  differences between slave and servant were unclear

Deep south slave life severe

• Deep south slave life severe

• Rural plantations conditions poor, needed to import more slaves for labor

• Different in Virginia, tobacco farming easier, plantations closer together

• Families grew faster, population grew through natural increase

• Stable, distinctive culture

• SC- Gullah language

• Religious traditions

• Cleared land for development

• 1712 slave revolt NY

• 1739 Stono River rebellion SC

• Slaves more reliable labor source than indentured servants

Social hierarchy develops by late 1600’s

• Social hierarchy develops by late 1600’s

• Plantation owners (“first families of Virginia)

• Small farmers largest group

• Landless whites, many former indentured servants

• Oppressed black slaves

• Few cities, urban professional class slow to emerge

• Life revolved around plantation

• Transportation by rivers, poor roads

Climate healthier than south

• Climate healthier than south

• Migrated to region as families, population grew by natural increase

• Family stability, intergenerational continuity (concept of grandparents)

New England

• New England

• Authoritarian male father figures controlled each household. Recognition of property rights undermine marriage

• Laws established to defend integrity of marriage

Tight knit society based on communities

• Tight knit society based on communities

• Surrounded by other colonial powers, Puritan unity of purpose

• Society grew in orderly fashion, distribution of land by town fathers

• Towns of more than 50 had to provide elementary education in Mass.

• Democracy in church govt, political govt.

Factors: growing population, migration from towns, less religious zeal, decline of conversions

• Factors: growing population, migration from towns, less religious zeal, decline of conversions

• 1662 – Half Way Covenant, weakened distinction from “elect” and others

• Results: wider religious participation, more women as church members

• 1692 – Salem, MA women accused of bewitching others, 20 put to death

• Resulted from social prejudices- Puritan ideas vs. Rising Yankee commercialism (many accused from prosperous part of town), mistrust of outsiders (Quakers, Baptists accused by Puritan settlers)), cultural mistrust of women (most accused were old women)

Lack of good farmland led to frugality of settlers

• Lack of good farmland led to frugality of settlers

• Region less ethnically mixed

• Diversified industry, experts in ship building and commerce

• Slavery not profitable

• Saw duty to “improve” land, clearing, planting, building

• Religion, soil, climate led to purposefulness, self- reliance, resourcefulness

1775- British had 32 colonies in NA

• 1775- British had 32 colonies in NA

• 13 original colonies not the wealthiest

• Average age 16

• Most population east of Alleghenies, Appalachian Mts.

• By 1775 some had moved west

• 90% lived in rural areas

• Shifted balance of power between colonies and British

Mostly English

• Mostly English

• Germans- 6% mostly Protestant, settled mainly in Pennsylvania

• Scots- Irish- 7%, most important non-English group

• Became squatters, quarreled with Indians, white landowners

• 1720’s first moved into backcountry in NC, VA, MD, PA

• Were squatters on land

• Tradition of violence, individualistic

• 1764- Paxton Boys protest Quaker treatment of Indians

• Late 1760’s Regulator Movement in NC, insurrection against eastern dominance of colonies affairs

• 5% other groups- French Huguenots,, Welsh, Dutch, Swedes, Jews, Irish, Swiss, Scots-Highlanders

• African slave trade contributed to population diversity

• Laid foundations for multi-cultural American national identity

America land of opportunity

• America land of opportunity

• No titled nobility

• Social structure very fluid

• By mid 1700’s- class differences emerge small group of aristocrats had most power

• Wars in 1700’s enriched a few merchants, made orphans and widows (mostly in NE)

Southern Social Pyramid

• Southern Social Pyramid

• Plantation owners at top (planters) had many slaves

• Small farmers, owned land, few slaves

• Landless whites, some indentured servants

• Black slaves at the bottom

Ministry most well respected profession

• Ministry most well respected profession

• Physicians poorly trained, medical knowledge was limited and crude

• Epidemics, plague feared by people

• Lawyers not respected at first, criminals represented themselves in court

• By 1750 lawyers seen as useful, played an important role in American history

Agriculture leading industry

• Agriculture leading industry

• Chesapeake staple crop tobacco

• Middle colonies- grain

• Fishing major industry in NE

• Yankee seamen good sailors, international commerce

• Triangular trade- goods from American colonies, travel to Africa (or Europe) traded for slaves, then to West Indies traded for sugar, sold to Americas, huge profits made on each leg of trip

Manufacturing not as important

• Manufacturing not as important

• Some small industry- rum, iron making, spinning weaving (by women)

• Lumber most important mfg. activity (for shipbuilding)

• British navy depended on American colonies to supply them

• Americans demand more British products (b/c fast growing pop.)

• British could not buy enough American goods

• Colonists seek foreign markets

• Trade imbalance between colonies, British

• 1733- Parliament passes Molasses Act to stop American trade with French West Indies

• American merchants bribe and smuggle their way around law, creates resentment toward British government

Roads dangerous, poor in 1700’s, only connected large cities

• Roads dangerous, poor in 1700’s, only connected large cities

• Towns clustered around water sources

• Taverns, bars along roads places of gossip, news

• Mail system set up by mid-1700’s, unreliable, postmen not trustworthy

• Two established (tax supported) churches by 1775 Anglican, Congregational

• Anglican- NY,NC,SC,GA,VA,MD

• Closely connected with monarchy in England

• Congregational- NE except in RI.

• Many ministers dealt with political issues, early rumblings of revolution from Cong. ministers

Religion lost steam in 1700’s , New ideas challenged old ways (predestination), new ideas of free will

• Religion lost steam in 1700’s , New ideas challenged old ways (predestination), new ideas of free will

• 1730’s and 1740’s -Great Awakening

• Started in Mass.- Jonathan Edwards

• Deeply emotional sermons, well reasoned, Message of human helplessness, divine omnipotence

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

• George Whitfield- emotional sermons, style of shaking, heaping blame on sinners imitated by others

• Orthodox clergy “old lights” skeptical of emotionalism

• “New Light” ministers defended role in revitalizing religion

• Split congregations, increased number and competitiveness of religions

• Direct spirituality undermined older clergy

• “New Light” universities Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth

• First mass movement of American people

• Contributed to sense that Americans were common people united by shared experience

Education more important in New England

• Education more important in New England

• Towns established primary, secondary schools, had to be able to read Bible

• High number of college graduates

• South- rural population, could not effectively establish schools

• Education done on plantations by private tutors, wealthy sent children abroad for higher education

• College Education- originally to prepare people for ministry

• New England est. first colleges (Harvard first 1636)

• By 1750’s move toward other subjects

• First nondenominational college University of Pennsylvania est. by Ben Franklin

Many small newspapers, pamphlets, journals around colonies

• Many small newspapers, pamphlets, journals around colonies

• Powerful agents for airing colonial grievances, rallying opposition

• Peter Zenger Case 1734-1735

• New York printer

• Accused of seditious libel for writing about royal governor

• Case not about if statements were true or not, but fact that they were printed

• Found not guilty, allowed for freedom of the press, open public discussion, eventually led to freedom to print responsible criticisms

Variety of governments in 13 colonies

• Variety of governments in 13 colonies

• By 1775 8 had royal governors appointed by king, 3 run by proprietors and chose own governors, 2 had self governing charters

• All had two house legislatures (upper house-appointed, lower house- elected)

• Had to own property to be a voter

• Self taxation through representation cherished privilege

• Some governors corrupt

• Most had trouble with colonial legislatures, saw gov. as British mouthpiece

• Colonial legislatures held money from royal authorities

• South- local government on county level (run by planters)

• New England –town meeting, direct democracy

• Almost half of all males “disenfranchised”

• Property requirements to vote, ease of acquiring land made this attainable

By 1775 America more democratic than Europe

• By 1775 America more democratic than Europe

• Basically English in language and custom

• Protestant religion

• Democratic ideas of tolerance, educational advantages, equality of economic opportunity, freedom of speech, assembly and representative government emerged in this period