4.3-4.4Notes

Colonial Economy

The Great Awakening

American Culture

The Southern Economy

1. Relied on: agriculture and raw materials2. Exported: timber (for building ships) and

deerskins3. Industries: Naval Stores (pitch, turpentine and

tar)4. Small farms and Large plantations sparked this

agricultural economy5. Economy based on: Cash Crops; crops grown

mainly to be sold for profits (tobacco, rice and indigo)

Southern Plantations and Slavery

• 1. Plantations main work source: Slaves• 2. Slaves worked for life (unless they were

able to earn enough money- very hard with harsh laws0

Slave Codes1. Laws to control slaves2. Most common on the biggest plantations

(South Carolina)3. Laws prevented slaves from running away

(would be killed if found)

The New England Economy

• Relied on: Cash Crops (poor growing conditions)

** no need to have large farms therefore slavery not as big here (they still had them though)

• Most families farmed their own areas• Industries: Fishing and shipbuilding (shipyards)-

high quality ships- made them lots of $$$$$$• Export: Dried Fish, pickled beef and pork, furs• Economy: demanded lots of skilled craftspeople

The Middle Colonies

• ** Kind of a combo of Southern and New England Colonies

• Relied On: commerce and agriculture• Economy based on: Staple Crops ( crops that

are continuously in demand (wheat, barley and oats)

• Export: Staple Crops, livestock• Slaves: had more of role here then The New

England• Indentured Servants: biggest fill of their labor

needs

Women and the Economy

• Contributed by:– running farms and businesses– Practiced medicine (more likely then men)• A married women could not work outside the

home without her husband’s permission!!!• A husband also had the right to keep the

women’s wages!!!!

4.3 The Great Awakening

What: An unorganized but widespread movement of evangelical Christian sermons and church meetings

Why: Fear that many colonist and their dedication to their religion was declining

Jonathan Edwards: one of the most important leaders of the Great Awakening

George Whitefield- came to American to begin a series of Revivals (sermons)- drew thousands and thousands of supporters

Result: Several thousands and colonist renewed their faith in Christianity

Old Lights vs. New lights

• Old lights- traditionalists

• New lights- followers of the great awakening

• Spread all through the Frontier

• Attracted many people of different classes

and races

People were seeking spiritual renewal (acceptance and equality)

4.3 American Culture

• Enlightenment- When the Scientific Revolution had greatly changed people’s understanding not only of the natural sciences but also of human activity.

Ben Franklin:• known as one of the most significant thinkers of all time• ran one of the most successful papers in the colonies• Founded the first circulating library and academy• Identified positive and negative charges in electricity.• Invented: lighting rod, Franklin Stove, bifocals

**** Had a huge impact on Early American Culture