AMERICAN COLONIES

Chapter 5

Importance of Property Ownership◦ Only white male landowners could vote in many colonies.

City residents could just pay a fee to vote◦ Only 5% of population in England owned land, American

colonies gave people a new opportunity

American Middle Class

◦ Most Americans to this day, are members of the Middle Class ($50,000 today)◦ Middle class began in the colonies◦ Colonies offered opportunity for the poor to rise up into the

middle class which was not possible in England

Women in the Colonies

◦ Many worked around home/farm, etc◦ Couldn’t vote, couldn’t preach in church, own land◦ A woman’s money belonged to her husband even if she

earned it herself

Family Life in the Colonies

◦ Averaged 6-8 children (today its 2-3)◦ Children equaled free labor on the farm

Apprentice

◦ Beginning around age 13, boys would work for an experienced craftsman◦ Boy received food, clothing, education, lodging◦ Worked for free for about 7 years

◦ Around age 20, they could stay and work for money or start their own business with their new skills

Education in the Colonies

◦ High rate of literacy compared to Europe◦ 85% percent of white men in New England colony were

literate (read and write)◦ 60% percent of white men in Middle colonies were literate

◦ 50% percent of white men in southern colonies were literate◦ More men then women were educated and literate◦ New England colony had free public school◦ Many cities offered free public school

Poor Richards Almanac

◦ Published by Ben Franklin◦ Collection of various info including jokes and weather

predictions

John Locke

◦ Enlightenment movement philosopher◦ Very influential on our “founding fathers and early USA◦ Said we have right to change government if not working for

the people◦ Said we have natural rights we are born with◦ Right to life, liberty, and property

French and Indian War

◦ Lasted 9 years (1754-1763)◦ Fought between the French and British over control of

territories in their colonies in North America◦ George Washington was a British officer during this war

North America in 1750North America in 1750

◦ George Washington was in command of Fort Necessity near Pittsburgh PA when it was attacked by the French◦ British retreated from this fort down into VA

Albany Plan of Union

◦ Developed by Ben Franklin◦ Idea was for all the British colonies to unite and fight

together for their own protection◦ Was shot down by the colonies b/c didn’t want to give up

any individual power

Braddock’s Defeat

◦ Braddock was British general during French and Indian War◦ Led soldiers into battle near Pittsburgh PA along with

George Washington◦ Braddock was killed and his soldiers forced to retreat

Battle of Quebec

◦ British laid siege to city/fort◦ British found a hidden path through mountains and

surrounded the French during the night◦ British won a quick victory ◦ Turning point of the French and Indian war

Treaty of Paris

◦ Ends French and Indian War◦ British win and kick France out of Canada and land east of

Mississippi River◦ Spain loses Florida to the British◦ British get exclusive rights to slave trade to North America

North America in 1763North America in 1763

Effects of War on the British

◦ Increased size of their empire◦ Increased their debt

Effects of War on Colonies

◦ Created bitterness towards British◦ United them for first time against an enemy (French)◦ Brought “major people” socially together for first time

from among the colonies