The Colonies in 1750

1. The Colonies in 1750 Chapter 4, Section 5

2. Ben Franklin a leading citizens in Philadelphia invited colonist to join a society that promote useful knowledge • The American Philosophical Society as born

3. Social Classes • Colonists enjoyed more social equality than people in England did. • However classes still existed • Gentry: wealthy planters, merchants, lawyers and royal officials • Middle class: farmers who worked their own land, skilled crafts workers, and some trades people • 3/4of all white colonist belonged to the middle class

4. Social Classes • Indentured servants: promised to work without wages for four to seven years for whoever would pay their ocean passage to the Americas • When their term was over they received “freedom dues,” set of clothes, tools and 50 acres of land

5. Women in the Colonies • Took care the household, her husband, and family • Cooked, milked cows, watched children, and made clothing • In cities a young single women from a poor family might work as a maid, a cook, or a nurse for a gentry

6. Women in the Colonies • Others worked as midwives or sewed • Women sometimes learned trades from her father, brothers, or husband • Shoemakers, silversmiths, and butchers

7. African Cultural Influences • Culture of Africans in the colonies varied greatly • Rice plantations in South Carolina slaves saw few whites • African customs remained strong

8. The Southern colonies • In port cities like Charleston more than half the population was black. • Worked along the docks making ropes, barrels, or helping to build ships • In Virginia and Maryland African traditions were weaker • Less isolated from whites

9. The Middle and New England Colonies • Fewer Africans lived here

10. A Renewal of Faith • Great Awakening: religious movement in the 1730s and 1740s • Jonathan Edwards: a New England preacher set off the Great Awakening • Called on colonists to examine their lives • Warned listeners that unless they heeded the Bible’s teachings “they would be sinners in the hands of an angry God’

11. A Renewal of Faith • 1739 George Whitefield, an English minister, arrived in the colonies • Drew huge crowds • He spoke with passion and feeling as he called on sinners to reform

12. A Renewal of Faith • Supports of the Great Awakening often split from churches and formed new ones • The growth of new churches forced people to become more tolerant of people with different religions

13. Concern with Education • New Englanders were most concerned about education • Puritans believed people had a duty to study the Bible • So they need to learn how to read

14. Public Schools in New England • 1647 Massachusetts assembly passes a law ordering all parents to teach their children to read and understand the principles of religion • All towns with 50 families to hire a school teacher • Towns with 100 families had to set up a grammar school to prepare boys for college

15. Public Schools in New England • Public school: school supported by taxes • Massachusetts set up the first public schools • On e room for all students of all ages • Parents paid the teacher with corn, peas, or other food • Each child was expected to bring a share of wood to burn in the stove

16. Middle and Southern Colonies • Middle colonies • Churches and individual families set up private schools • Pupils paid to attend • Only wealthy families could afford to educate their children

17. Middle and Southern Colonies • Southern Colonies • Families lived to far apart to bring children together in one building • Some planters hired tutors • Wealthiest planters sent their sons to school in England • Slaves were denied education of any kind

18. Learning by doing • Apprentice: worked for a master to learn a trade or craft • Ex. Glassmaker, papermaking, printing

19. Education for girls • In New England some girls attended dame schools, or private school s, ran by women in their homes • Most school in the colonies accepted only boys • Girls learned from their mothers

20. An Age of Reason • European scientist tried to use reason and logic to understand the world • Developed theories and performed experiments to test them • Ex. Isaac Newton’s force of gravity

21. An Age of Reason • European thinkers tried to use the same principles to study society • They tried to discover natural laws to govern human behavior • This movement became known as the Enlightenment

22. Benjamin Franklin • Born the son of a poor soap and candle maker • Strong believer in self improvement • Had only two years of schooling • Used his spare time to study literature, mathematics, and foreign languages • Became an important colonial leader

23. Benjamin Franklin • In Philadelphia he started a successful printing business • Published poor Richards Almanac

24. Benjamin Franklin • Franklin proved that lightening was a form of electricity • Flew a kite during a thunderstorm • Bolt of lightning struck wire fastened to the kite and caused a spark

25. Benjamin Franklin • He convinced Philadelphia to pave streets and to organize a fire company • He and leaders set up the first lending library