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Understanding Foner

Understanding Foner. Chapter 4: Slavery, Freedom. And the Struggle for the Empire to 1763. http:// profcivitella.wordpress.com. Mains Ideas . AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE THE PRESS THE GREAT AWAKENING SEVEN YEARS’ WAR. African Slave Trade. African Slave Trade.

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Understanding Foner

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  1. Understanding Foner Chapter 4: Slavery, Freedom. And the Struggle for the Empire to 1763 http://profcivitella.wordpress.com

  2. Mains Ideas • AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE • THE PRESS • THE GREAT AWAKENING • SEVEN YEARS’ WAR

  3. African Slave Trade

  4. African Slave Trade • The importation of guns to Africa further encouraged growth of slavery. • Powerful Western African kingdoms develop thanks to guns. • The loss of tens of thousands of African people weaken and disrupt society. • The ocean voyage between Africa and America became known as the Middle Passage, an extraordinary painful and inhumane experience. • About 1 in 5 Africans didn’t survive the voyage due to disease, suicide, or murder. • 5%  mainland America; 95%  Brazil & West Indies. • By 1770 Africans made up 1/5 of the roughly 2.3 million population.

  5. The Press • In the 18th century, letters, pamphlets, and newspaper articles began to heavily influence politics and social issues • These types of media expanded debate and made it public; informed citizens openly discussed questions that had previously been only discussed by officials. • Discourse clubs in major cities were created where citizens would come together to discuss economics and politics—e.g., Junto club, a “club for mutual improvement” created by Benjamin Franklin. • Bars would also act as places where everyday citizens would go for debate and conversation. • Increased literacy in the colonies only increased the demand for literature. • By 1776, 3/4 of the free colonial population could read and write. • 1740 13 colonial newspapers; 25 1765.

  6. The Press • Newspaper were initially filled with advertisements, religious affairs, and reports on British society and government. • By the mid 18th century they were dominated by political commentary (colonial). • The idea of “freedom of speech” only existed inside Parliament and was not a universal right. • Politicians would be allowed to say whatever they wanted without the fear of punishment inside Parliament, but not outside. • The idea of “freedom of the press” did not exist. • Both Britain and those in charge of the colonies feared regular citizens would be too easily influenced by whatever they read. • Until 1695 all published works needed to be printed with a license from the government. • This rule was weakened due to the increase of printed materials. • Publishers could still be prosecuted for “seditious libel”—defaming government or public officials.

  7. The Press • Colonial newspapers were defenders of freedom of the press as central component of liberty. • Citizens had a right to monitor the workings of government subject public officials to criticism.

  8. The Great Awakening • Religious leaders became worried that economic success, and global affairs, would lead to people becoming more lax about their faith. • Fear spread regarding specific issues: • Westward expansion. • Commercial development. • Growth of enlightenment and rationalism. • Declining interest in church service. • In the 1730s local “get back to your faith” type movements sprung up locally; wanting church goers to renew a commitment to “religion of the heart,” a more personal an emotional form of Christianity. • Anglican preacher John Whitfield proclaimed God was merciful, as opposed to predestined—i.e., people could save themselves by repenting of their sins.

  9. The Seven Years’ War • By the 18th century, Britain was the most powerful and economically sound empire in the world. • The British would accomplish this through several expensive wars against the Spanish and French. • As the success of their colonies increased, the need to rid the area of rival nations—France—also increased. • War broke out in 1754 when the British attacked the French in western Pennsylvania. • Fighting was over: • Ownership of the Ohio Valley. • Lucrative fur trade. • Access to the Mississippi River.

  10. The Seven Years’ War • There were several short and long-term effects of the war: • Britain’s victory redraws the map. • Britain gains control of India and Florida. • Spain gains control of the western part of America, Cuba, and the Philippines. • Britain raises taxes in order to help pay for the war (one cause for revolution). • France goes into a state of domestic and financial unrest (one cause for revolution). • Increased native-British hostility in the frontier. • Creation of the Proclamation Line—no colonial settlement west of the Appalachian mountains.

  11. Mains Ideas • AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE • Triangular trade = $$$ • THE PRESS • Press develops, increases public debate • THE GREAT AWAKENING • Religious revival to combat global issues and $$$ • SEVEN YEARS’ WAR • Britain gains total control of eastern North America

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