Chapter 5

Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution 1700-1775

1. English Empire
Colonies- A Small % of the Empire Dramatic Growth 1700-300,000
1775-2.5 Million Average Age- 16 English Influence Lessens VA, MASS, PENN, NC, Maryland 4 Cities- Philly, NYC, Boston, Charleston 90% Rural

2. Melting Pot (Non English Groups) Germans 6%

Pennsylvania Lutheran Scots-Irish 7% Frontier- Maryland, Virginia & the Carolinas The Boot from the Irish Reputation of Alcohol, Rebels Precursor for Jacksonian Democracy No Loyalty for the English Crown Africans- 20% Heavy in the South Mixture of Others French Huguenots, Dutch, Swedes, Swiss,
Jewish

North- Least Diverse South- Black-White Middle- Biggest Mixture

3. Social Classes
More mobility than Europe
Social Stratum develops over time (especially South) Large gap between upper class & lower class in South 50000 former convicts Fear of Rebellion S. Carolina tried to stop flow, vetoed by the British govt

Undesirables African Americans

4. Occupations
Ministry
Most respected

Physicians
Poor Training Plagues (Small Pox, Diphtheria)

Lawyers
Not Respected

Leaders for the Revolution

5. Other Occupations
Farming (90%)
Tobacco (VA, MD) Grain (Penn, NY) Shipbuilding (N.E. States) Northern Colonies Triangular Trade (Many slaves) Rum Skills (Weaving, Carpentry)

Fishing Trading/Commerce Manufacturing Smuggling

Oversaturation leads to trade w/ others

6. Primitive Society
Communication/Transportation Slow

A month for news of Dec. of Inde. to get to Charleston SC

River & Sea Travel

Most cities by one or two

Taverns/Pubs
Social Center Beginnings of Revolution Movement

7. Religion
Many did not attend Denominations Congregational (NE)
Anglican (Church of England) NY

The Great Awakening 1730s/40s

Edwards/Whitefield Old Lights vs. New Lights Sense of Unity Higher Places of Learning
Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth

8. Education
New England Puritans Upper Class
Male Dominated Education religiously based Grim/Dour atmosphere, Greek & Latin Tough Discipline U of Penn non denominational (Franklin)

9. Zenger/Politics
Freedom of the Press Case
John Peter Zenger New York (1734-35) Newspaper Editor Called out a Royal Governor Ruled Not Guilty