Beginnings of an American Identity

Beginnings of an American Identity Chapter 5 Notes

I. Early American Culture A. Land, Wealth, and Rights 1. Cheap farmland and abundant natural resources gave colonists a chance to prosper. 2. Land ownership gave colonists political rights and prosperity.

I. Early American Culture • Social Mobility 1. More widespread land ownership gave shape to the American class system. 2. Placement in Society a. Elite = plantation owners and merchants b. Upper Middle = lawyers, merchants, doctors, clergy (trade and craftsmen) c. Lower Middle = free workers, poor farmers d. Low = white servants, and slaves

I. Early American Culture C. Colonial Life 1. The Working World a. Farming women – cooked, cleaned, churned butter, made soap, candles, and cloth; tended to garden and farm b. Women who lived in towns – ran inns, helped with trade business c. Women’s rights – lacked; could not vote, preach, own property without husband’s permission; or keep earned money d. Women who lived on farms – worked outdoors; planted, raised, and harvested crops; hard work

I. Early American Culture D. Life of the Young 1. American families – large – 8+ a. New England families had 6- 8 kids b. More kids meant more helping hands c. Even toddlers worked

I. Early American Culture 2. Boys a. At age 6 breeched b. At age 13 left to become apprentices c. Apprenticed received food, clothing, lodging, and a general education – worked for free for 4 – 7 years 3. Girls a. Learned household skills b. New England girls at age of 13 + were sent away to learn skills c. Orphans were sent away as apprentices

I. Early American Culture E. Education and Literacy 1. There was a high rate of literacy. a. New England – 85% of white men were literate b. Middle colonies – 65% of white men were literate c. Southern colonies – 50% 2. Children were taught to read so they could understand the Bible.

I. Early American Culture F. Colonial Literature 1. Literacy helped the colonies unite. 2. Ben Franklin – published Poor Richard’s Almanac 3. Colonists began to publish poetry, regional histories, and autobiographies.

I. Early American Culture G. A Growing Diversity 1. Immigrants came into contact with people of different ethnic groups and nationalities. 2. Some colonies had growing diversity in religion.

I. Early American Culture G. Religious Revival and Enlightenment 1. The Great Awakening was a Christian religious revival movement from 1730 – 1740’s. a. Jonathan Edwards was a preacher during this time. 2. It changed colonial culture because people argued over religion and split into new groups. 3. The Age of Enlightenment emphasized reason and science as the paths to knowledge. 4. Ben Franklin and John Locke were famous people during this time. 5. People began to believe in the rights of life, liberty, and property. 6. Colonists began to question their relationship with England.

II. Roots of American Democracy A. The Rights of Englishmen 1. The Magna Carta (1215) limited the king a. private property, no tax w/out consent, witnesses & jury trials B. Parliament and Colonial Government 1. Parliament – England’s law-making body a. Colonists made their own laws. 2. The King and Parliament still had authority

II. Roots of American Democracy C. English Rights Threatened 1. New England smuggled & ignored laws  the king revoked (took away) their charter and right to self- govern themselves & appointed Edmund Andros 2. Andros ended assemblies  angered colonists D. England’s Glorious Revolution 1. 1688 – Parliament overthrew the king 2. Passed the English Bill of Rights a. Listed specific rights of English people -page 140

II. Roots of American Democracy E. Colonists claimed these rights 1. Assemblies AND royal governor 2. Salutary neglect – Parliament ignored the colonies F. The John Peter Zenger Trial 1. Started freedom of the press

Beginnings of an American Identity