People of the Colonies

1. People of the Colonies Section 4: Pages 73-79

2. Colonial Social Classes • There was an upper class in each of the colonies. • In New England, merchants, ship owners, and the clergy formed the upper class. • In the South landowners the upper class imitated European gentry. • Early laws excluded the lower class from wearing certain elements of clothing. • The lower class was composed primarily of indentured servants.

3. Colonial Social Classes (cont’d) • Once freed, indentured servants enjoyed significant upwards mobility. Life in the Colonies • Colonial life was very difficult. • Those who settled along the frontiers faced conflict with Native Americans, starvation and outbreaks of dysentery, malaria and yellow fever. • A state of prosperity was achieved by the 1700’s.

4. Colonial Social Classes (cont’d) The Varied Population • By 1775 only half the population was of English origin. • Different groups included: Irish Catholics, Spanish Jews and German Protestants. • Slave influx began in Virginia in 1619. • Africans comprised close to 20 percent of the population, with the highest concentration being in the south.

5. Women in the Colonies • The English colonies were able to grow rapidly due to adequate number of women. • Women were generally denied higher education and expected to marry off in their early twenties. • Women were generally responsible for child rearing, seeing as many had 5 or 6 children.

6. Women in the Colonies (cont’d) • Women also helped on farms by making clothes, soap, and bread. • Southern plantation wives also helped direct the workforce • New England wives would take the place of their seafaring husbands. • A small number of women were able to be publishers, druggists, doctors, and so forth.

7. Slavery in the Colonies • 30% of 1st generation slaves died aboard ships. • Legal differences between slaves and others were not clear at first. • Eventually legal distinctions were made between African slaves and regular citizens. • Slaves could not legally marry or own property. • Slave children could be sold and separated from their mothers. Slaves aboard a slave ship

8. Southern Plantations Bulk of slavery done here. Slavery was deemed financially necessary. Laws declared slaves were to be enslaved for life. Was illegal to educate slaves. Some disagreed with slavery but did nothing for fear of reprisal. Freed slaves faced discrimination as well. Very difficult to free a slave. The North Slavery was not as far spread, not very much profit. Mandatory for slaves to be wed. Owners could punish slaves, but not kill them. Many felt slavery was wrong. Quakers & Mennonites in Penn. denounced slavery. # of freed slaves rose steadily. Slavery in the Colonies (cont’d)

9. Native Americans • At first the Europeans did not intend to eliminate or harm the natives. • Some such as William Penn tried to treat them fairly. • Religious leaders eagerly tried to convert them to Christianity. • The establishment of colonial farms was a source of conflict. • Colonialists took land that was not used all year long ( The natives were generally nomadic in nature). • Initial conflicts were a result of not understanding each other’s land ownership systems.

10. During conflict some felt massacring natives was justified seeing as they were “children of the devil.” Most skirmishes were won by colonists due to superior weaponry and numbers. Natives were further devastated by the effects of European diseases. One group, the Iroquois Confederacy, was able to withstand colonial power. Native Americans (cont’d) Stereotypical Indian Brave

11. The Great Awakening Prior to the awakening religious groups would persecute each other. The awakening served as a religious revival. Many new types of churches were created, religious tolerance was required. Colleges were created, i.e. Princeton & Rutgers. Education in the Colonies Primarily taught to ensure colonialist could read the Bible. Mass. required schools for communities in 1647. Schooling was not as available in the Middle Colonies. Schooling was rare in the Southern Colonies. School resources were limited & school year lasted 3 months. Students were primarily male. Nonetheless, Mass. was considered to be very literate. The Colonial Mind

12. Enlightenment Mid 18th century. Educational focus shifts to science and ‘practical subjects’. Interest in science originated in Europe, particularly John Locke. Locke’s work was well read in the colonies. Locke toyed with the concept of a reasonable society. Locke was republican in nature and felt gov’t should serve the people. The Press Schools & colleges along with newspapers and books helped raise public awareness. Most books were imported from Britain. By 1750, there were close to 30 American newspapers. The Colonial Mind (cont’d)

13. The Colonial Mind (cont’d) The Zenger Case • In 1735 John Zenger, a journalist, accused the governor of corruption. • Papers were burnt and Zenger was charged with libel. • His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that Zenger was innocent seeing as he was exercising his right to free speech. • Zenger was acquitted and the case is now considered to be a significant one.

14. New Directions • The colonies were close to establishing economic independence by 1776. • Had a significant merchant marine fleet. • Adopted their own monetary system. • Decisions were often made at town hall meetings, established primitive form of democracy. • New England pushed for independence in 1776.