2.

7 - Colonial Society and Culture

LO 1 – explain how/why the movement of a variety of ppl and ideas across the atlantic
contributed to the development of american culture over time

LO 2 – explain how and why the different goals and interests of european leaders and
colonists affected how they viewed themselves and their relationship with britain

CONTEXT

Struggling colonial villages in early 1600s -> distinctive culture vs europe in mid 1700s

What were the characteristics of its the ppl in this society?

POPULATION GROWTH

- 1701 – colonies consist of 250K europeans, africans

- 75 years later – 10x more
- More dramatic among african americans

causes

- 1. immigration of almost 1M ppl

- 2. high birthrate in colonial families

(attracted by fertile land)

EUROPEAN IMMIGRANTS

- Immigrants to british colonies = uk but ALSO western/central europe

- Many protestant immigrants from france+german speaking states
- Fleeing religous persecution, wars, search for econ opp
- Most immigrants settle in middle colonies+western frontier of southern colonies
- Some -> new england – land limited by puritan domination

English

- With fewer issues in england, less incentive to come -> smaller numbers

Germans

- Settled mainly on farmlands near philadelphia – pennsylvania dutch country

- Maintained german customs+religious beliefs (eg. Lutherans, amish)
- Obeyed colonial laws, took little interest in english politics
- 1775 – 6 percent of colonial pop

Scotch-irish
 - English speaking protestants from northen ireland
- Dipsutes with british (pressured them to leave ireland)
- Settled along western pennsylvania, virginia, carolinas, georgia
- 1775 – 7 percent of pop

Other europeans: french protestants huguenots, dutch, swede – 5 percent of pop

ENSLAVED AFRICANS

- Largest single group entering english colonies

- Taken captive, sold as laboreres
- Most common job = plantation
- 1775 – make up 20 percent of pop
- Live in southern colonies
- A few obtain freedom – emancipated by owner or through work
- BUT racist colonial laws

NATIVES

- Conflict between settlers and natives

- Form alliances between natives to protect land
o eg. Powhaten confederation in VA
o Eg. Iroquois confederation near great lakes
- Others hv european allies vs. Other natives
- MOST peaceful = pennsylvania – WILLIAM PENN use treaties not violence

THE STRUCTURE OF COLONIAL SOCIETY

- Each of 13 colonies – distinct lifestyles

- Shared characteristics: english language/tradition

LIBERTY AND OPPORTUNITY

- More self-determination vs europe

Religious toleration

- Permitted different religions – varying freedom

- Mass MOST restrictive – protestants NOT catholics+nonchristians
 - RI and penn LEAST restrictive – all who believe in god but only christians participate
in gov

No hereditary aristocracy

- Europe wealth polarization less prevalent in colonies

- Wealthy landowners at top, workers/farmers = majority

Social mobility

- White residents can improve SOL

- Land ownership more accessible

THE FAMILY

- Center of colonial life

- Expanding econ, ample food supply -> marry younger, more children vs Europe
- 90 percent ppl live on farms
- Life was hard, BUT higher SOL

Men

- Besides work, can own land/participate in politics

- Law gives husband unlimited power in home eg. Domestic abuse

Women

- Bore average 8 children

- High infant mortality
- Cooking, cleanings, clothes, medical care, education
- Work with husband in job
- Divorce was rare
- Women lack legal rights
- Mutual dependence protect them from abuse, active role in decision making

THE ECONOMY

- 1750s half of Britain world trade with american colonies

- Rich american land+british mercantilist policy -> colonies based on agriculture,
forestry, fishing
- Socieities grow -> ppl become doctors, lawyers, teachers
 - Quickest route to wealth = land

New england

- Rocky soil, long winters -> subsistence farming

- No need for slaves
- Puritan descendants profit from shipbuilding, fishing, trading etc.

Middle colonies

- Rich oil – wheat+corn to export to europe/west indies

- Larger farms
- Families used hired laborers/indentured servants
- Small manufactruing efforts eg. Iron making
- Trading help dev philly, NY
- 1750 – philly – largest city in colonies 25K

Southern coloines

- Diverse geography/climate -> agriculture vary

- Most ppl = subsistence farms no slaves
- Some big platnations, rely on slaves

Monetary system

- Limit use of money to contorl colonial control

- Force other colonies to use gold/silver for british imports
- Issued paper money to create currency for trade
- Too much money -> inflation
- Claimed right to veto econ harmful colonial laws

transportation

- Travel by water easiest

- Boston, ny, phil, etc on/near rivers
- Overland travel by horse/stagecoach become more cmmon in 18 th century
- Taverns – food and lodging for travelers+social centers for new/politics
- Mid 18th century postal system w horses/ships

RELIGION

Most colonists = protestant

- New england most = puritans (congregationalists) OR presbyterias

 - In NY dutch = reformed church, most others = church of englands
(anglicans/episcopalians)
- Penn – lutherans, mennonites, quakers
- VA+southern colonies – anglicans mostly (in maryland – catholics and some jews)

Challenges

- Jews, catholics, quakers discriminated against

- Congregationalist (puritan) ministers criticized as authoritarian
- Church of england viewed as birtish control (headed by king)

Established Churches

- 17th century most colonial govs taxed ppl to support a protestant denomination
(established church)
- Many immigrants -> religious diversity-> gov reduce support of churches
- Some direct tax support remain in NEW ENGLAND until 1830s

THE GREAT AWAKENING

- Less emphasis on humansinfulness

- 1730s/40s - dramatic change in colonies GREAT AWAKENING = passionate, large
scale religious feelings

Reverend Jonathan edwards

- leaders of great awakening – congregational minister from mass

- Use language of old testament – present god as angry abt human sinfulness
- Some individuals earn salvation, but those who neglect gods wishes -> damnation

George whitefield

- 1739 spread great awakening attract 10K audiences

- In barns, tents, fields stress almightiness of god
- Only save open believers of jesus chirst or else hell

Religious effects

- Emotionalism more common in protestant services

- Splits in dnominations – eg. Congregationalists – between old lights/new lights
- Ppl study bible at home – ministers lose authority
 - Therefore, evangelical sects rely on travling ministers for new members
- Great awakening spread -> many ppl challenge congregationalists+anglicans
- SEPERATION OF CHURCH AN STATE

Political effects

- Among first shared experiences of american colonists

- Democratizing effect – critical views of authority
- Later on apply to criticizing king/royal governor authority

CULTURAL LIFE

- 1600s chief concern = survival

- 100 years later, arts among rich ppl could dev

ACHIEVEMENTS IN ARTS/SCI

- Coastal areas, fear of natives fade -> display prosperity

Architecture

- Georgian london style imitated in buildings

- Brick/stuco homes along eastern seabord
- Frontier – one-room log cabin common

Painting

- Colonial painters travelled country to paint family portraits

- Benjamin west and john copely american artists established themselves in
england before rev

Literature

- Few printing facilities – religion/politics

o Cotton mather – religion
- Political writings highlight conflicts between american rights/english authority
o Popular writer benjamin franklin
o Poor richard’s almanack best seller
- Despite lack of support for fiction/poetry
o Phillis wheatley female african slave poet

Science

- John Bartram botanist

 - Benjamin Franklin

EDUCATION

- Formal efforts directed towards males

Elementary edu

- NEW ENGLAND PURITAN emphasis on reading bible -> first TAX supported schools
- Mass law 1674 require towns -> primary schools for boys
- MIDDLE COLONIES church sponsored/private
- SOUTHERN, parents give
- PLANTATIONS tutors

Higher edu

- First colonial colleges = sectarian (promote doctrines of RELIGOUS group)

- Puritans founded harvard to prepare ministers
- Only nonsectarian college = UPENN by benjamin franklin etc.

Ministry

- 1600s, christian ministry = only respectable profession for common ppl

- Only well educated in comm

Physicians

- Colonists with disease treated by “cures” made WORSE

- First med college in upenn

Lawyers

- 1700s, trade expanded – complex legal predicaments

- Lawyers formed bar (board) - set rules/standards
- Gained respect in 1760s/70s arguing for COLONIAL rights
o John adams etc. - foundation for american revolution

THE PRESS

- Through postal system/local printing firms

Newspapers

o 1776 over 40 newspapers weekly

o Month old europe news, ads, runaway servants

The zenger case

 - Risk of being jailed for slander if offend AUTHORITIES
o Crime to criticize governor even if truth
- 1735 John peter Zenger charged for libelously criticizing NY royal gov
- Lawyer andrew hamilton argue truth
- Ignore law, jail zenger
- EFFECT – did not guarantee freedom of press BUT encourage criticism of authority

THE ENLIGHTENMENT

- Americans drawn to european movement “the englightenment”

- Followers belived that the past was a “dark” era where ppl overrelied on holy
intervention, and the “light” of reason is solution
- John locke english philosopher heavily influenced thinking
- Sovereignty lies in ppl, not the state
- Thus, ppl hv an obligation to revolt when their rights are not protected
- EFFECT – seeds for the american revolution

COLONIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH BRITAIN

1. SIMILARITIES to british
a. Political traditions of self government
b. Language/media
c. Trades eg. Tobacco/imports
d. Religions (eg. Puritans, quakers, anglicans)
2. DIFFERENCES from british – COLONIAL IDENTITY
a. Motives for leaving
b. Diverse populations
c. Influence of env
d. Emergence of american artists
e. Free press/speech (esp for white male property owners)
- Observeres view as constantly seeking practical improvements
3. Mistrust of british
a. territory: Colonists want to push east vs. British want peace with natives
b. Regulations: colonists ok with salutary neglect vs. British wnat to impose reg
c. Sovereignty: colonists > liberty vs. British seek control
d. Diversity: colonists diverse -> do not identify with country that rules them

POLITICS AND GOV

1. Electing
- By 1750 most colonies have governor as chief exec+legislature voting to vet govs
proposed laws
- a. members of lower house
o Elected by wmpo
o Voted for/against new taxes
- b. members of upper house
o Some elected
o Most appointed by king/proprietor
- c. governors
o Appointed by crown
o Ppl (RI, conn)
o Proprietor (penn, maryland)
2. Local gov
- NEW ENGLAND gov establish towns
o Local gov = regular town meetings to discuss public issues
- SOUTHERN COLOINES
- ENV CAUSE Large plantations widely seperated
- EFFECT local gov = law enforcing sheriff – serve large territory called county
3. Voting
- Voting was limited to white property owning males
- BUT by 1700s gov remove some religious barriers
- Similarly, assembly/council involvement restricted to wealthy white male landlords
o Eg. House of burgesses in VA
o EXCEPTION in mass open to farmers
- DIFFERENCE vs europe, greater self government