America On the Eve of Revolution

1. America On the Eve of Revolution

2. By 1775- British have 32 colonies established Why did the 13 revolt? Only 13 Colonies?

3. 1700- population 300,000 (20,000 black) 1775- 2.5 million Roughly only 400,000 immigrants (slaves) American life is fertile Average age = 16 Conquest by Cradle

4. 1700- twenty English subjects to one colonists 1775- number dwindled to three to one Problems? Conquest by Cradle

5. Most populated – Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, NC, Maryland 4 true cities= Philly, NYC, Boston, Charleston 90% of population is rural Conquest by Cradle

6. Germans- 6%-Pennsylvania- Religion= Lutheran, religious diversity in area continues. 1/3 of population in Penn. Back country folks No loyalty to the British Skilled stone workers The Melting Pot…sort of

7. Scotch Irish- 7% Scottish low landers forced to Ireland Irish = catholic, Scots = Presbyterian Go to land liberal Penn, but Germans have the good land Must go further west Quarreled with natives and whites Flimsy log cabins Experiences in Ireland help them prosper in rugged west. The Melting Pot…sort of

8. Scot/Irish- lawless, individualist, brought whiskey with them Extreme hatred for the British- Why The Melting Pot… sort of

9. Paxton boys- SI’s angry at Quaker’s friendly policies with Natives Responsible for Native Massacres, and even led march to Philly. Years later will start regulator movement in NC- rebellion against tax polices Scot Irish, seeds of Rebellion

10. The others- 5%- French Huguenots, Welsh, Dutch, Swedes, Jews, Irish, Swiss, and Scots. All have little loyalty to the crown. Largest non English group come from Africa (20%) The Melting Pot…sort of

11. South- 90% of African population NE- least ethnic diversity. Middle colonies- gets majority of white immigrants, extremely diverse. Most diverse area of time in world The American culture is forming The Melting Pot…sort of

12. 1600-mid 1700’s- American seems like land of opportunity Mid 18 century class levels are becoming apparent Native conflicts create rich merchant class of the Middle colonies. War creates orphans Philly and NYC already have orphanages Yet number of poor in US in low to rest of world Colonial Structure and War

13. NE- not much soil to go around, family plots are made even smaller South- large plantation owners get rich, and make plantations bigger- creating very distinct and very small upper class. Jail birds- 50,000 Slaves- no shot at advancement Colonialists are aware that large groups of oppressed people can cause problems, try to impose restrictions on slaves, but Eng. vetoes all. Why Colonial Structure

14. Lawyers- looked down upon- pioneer life is for hard workers Clergymen- highly regarded Other Jobs

15. Doctors- kind of… Method of curing- bloodletting Constantly threatened by epidemics Smallpox- why not try a little powdered dry toad. How does this impact society? Other Jobs

16. Agriculture= 90% Fishing (and whaling) done all over, but NE is the best Fishing industry encourages growth of shipbuilding and lumber producing. Colonial Naval Stores- tar, pitch, rosin, and turpentine Forests= life Work in America

17. Triangle Trade

18. Colonial trade is strong, but stopping at Eng. Dips into colonial profits. Molasses Act – tax on molasses aimed at regulating trade rather than raise money. Colonists bribe and smuggle their way around it. The British Middlemen

19. Roads- dirty, unkept, dangerous Rivers- safest most sensible way of travel Taverns- are the place to be, abundant among traveling routes Taverns- early democracy, people sharing information, rather right or wrong, often aided by alcohol. Transportation…or lack of

20. Established (tax supported) churches Anglican and Congregational Large portion of population doesn’t go to church Only minority of people go to established churches Church

21. Anglicans GE, SC, NC, VA, MA, part of NY Not the most pious Short sermons Congregational Church- from Puritans In NE colonies, minus RI Church

22. Pre Revolution Con. Church favors rebellions Anglican loyal to the king Overall- America is probably most religion tolerant (lack of Catholics means less anti-Catholic laws) Free to worship, or not. Church

23. 1600’s religion is important 1700’s religion is fanning Challenge to the puritans Arminianism- individual will determines fate, all can achieve salvation, rather then the “elect” Great Awakening

24. Religious revival Northampton Mass. Jonathon Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Great Awakening

25. George Whitefiled Great colonial speaker Religion is in the heart, not in books Great Awakening

26. Old lights- traditional clergy New Lights- embrace Great Awakening Old lights- not buying theatrical elements Huge divide in religion Divide in churches increases numbers and competitiveness of churches 1st spontaneous mass movement in America- shows we Americans are united by a common history and experience. The Old vs. the New

27. England- education is for rich males, destined to be leaders not citizens. NE- education is important- need to read the bible- goal is to make good Christians. South- widely dispersed, if educated it was done by a private tutor. Education- emphasis on religion and classical languages. Colonial Education

28. NE- Harvard to train ministers South- annoyed by religious influence, sent children abroad. Colonial Education

29. Art- still influenced by Brits. Architecture- still influenced by Europe. Literature- “Poor Richards Almanack” BF- Science, some progress, mainly attributed to BF Colonial Culture

30. Colonists- usually too poor to buy and read books. Hand operating printing presses- about 40 Print news, often late. Pioneer Presses

31. Peter Zenger- printed story against corrupt royal governor. Defended by former indentured servant-AH Royal judge- basically told the jurors not to listen to Hamilton’s argument. To everybody’s surprise- Zenger found not guilty Freedom of the press is established, good sign for Democracy to come. Zenger Trial

32. Bicameral legislation Upper house (council) normally appointed by the crown (royal colonies) or by proprietor (proprietary colonies) Lower House- elected by the people…who met property requirements Backcountry people- often felt underrepresented Colonial Politics

33. Royal governors- sometimes good, sometimes bad Colonists, sometimes would with hold governors salary until he gave into their demands. Blame the British- should have made governors’ salary independent source. Colonial Politics

34. Government on local levels South- back country affairs NE- town meetings Middle- combination of the two Not a true democracy- need property to vote. But with plenty of land, may can make requirements Colonial Politics

35. Food plentiful- but diet was coarse and repetitive Heat source- fireplace Light- candles, whale oil lamps Garbage disposal- hogs in the streets, buzzards protected by law. Lotteries- lots and often- used to fundraising purposes. North- winter sports South- cards, horse racing, cock fighting, dancing, theater. Holidays- universally celebrated NE- no Christmas- too “popery” Colonial Life

36. English language and most customs Mainly Protestant Diverse populations force some degree of religious toleration. Chances at social advancement Experience in self government Simple facts of shared history, culture, and geography set the stage for the colonists’ struggle for independence. Many differences, but lets celebrate similarities