Chapter 5Chapter 5

Colonial Society on the Eve of Colonial Society on the Eve of RevolutionRevolution

1700-17751700-1775

Growing PopulationGrowing Population

Massive population growth in 13 Massive population growth in 13 originaloriginal

Shifting balance of powerShifting balance of power 4 major cities; 90% lived in rural 4 major cities; 90% lived in rural

areasareas

Different EthnicitiesDifferent Ethnicities

Mostly English with small ethnic Mostly English with small ethnic pocketspockets 6% of population in 1775= German6% of population in 1775= German 7%= Scots-Irish (Paxton Boys protest)7%= Scots-Irish (Paxton Boys protest) 5%= French Huguenots, Welsh, Dutch, 5%= French Huguenots, Welsh, Dutch,

Swedes, Jews, Swiss, Scots-HighlandersSwedes, Jews, Swiss, Scots-Highlanders 20% = African slaves (African American 20% = African slaves (African American

traditions)traditions) Multicultural societyMulticultural society

The Structure of Colonial SocietyThe Structure of Colonial Society

Beginning of 1700’s= many Beginning of 1700’s= many opportunitiesopportunities

““Europeanization” of AmericaEuropeanization” of America Limited amounts of landLimited amounts of land Allegheny Allegheny

barrierbarrier Class discrepancy in SouthClass discrepancy in South Fear of slave revoltsFear of slave revolts

Colonial TradeColonial Trade

Triangular TradeTriangular Trade Manufacturing Manufacturing Trade imbalance= need for new Trade imbalance= need for new

marketsmarkets Molasses Act 1733Molasses Act 1733 smuggling and smuggling and

briberybribery

Official ChurchesOfficial Churches

2 tax supported churches (Anglican 2 tax supported churches (Anglican and Congregational)and Congregational)

Anglican= Georgia, N & S Carolina, Anglican= Georgia, N & S Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and part of NYVirginia, Maryland and part of NY Less fire and brimstone Less fire and brimstone

Congregational= New England Congregational= New England except RIexcept RI

More religious toleranceMore religious tolerance

The Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening

The religious fervor weakeningThe religious fervor weakening Threat of liberal ideas (Arminians)Threat of liberal ideas (Arminians) Full membership to battle “heresies”Full membership to battle “heresies” Great Awakening of 1730’s-40’sGreat Awakening of 1730’s-40’s

spiritual revival with Jonathan Edwardsspiritual revival with Jonathan Edwards ““Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

George Whitefield- emotional theatricsGeorge Whitefield- emotional theatrics ““New Light” vs. “Old Light”New Light” vs. “Old Light”

The Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening

Awakening= revitalization, Awakening= revitalization, undermined old clergy, created undermined old clergy, created breaks in Churchesbreaks in Churches

Missionary workMissionary work True American solidarityTrue American solidarity

Colonial EducationColonial Education

No longer just for wealthy boysNo longer just for wealthy boys Good Christians (New England towns Good Christians (New England towns

vs. Southern plantations)vs. Southern plantations) Focus less on independent thinkingFocus less on independent thinking University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Pioneer PressesPioneer Presses

Too busy/poor to read booksToo busy/poor to read books Pamphlets, journals, leaflets, Pamphlets, journals, leaflets,

newspapersnewspapers Colonial grievances, European newsColonial grievances, European news

Zenger Case 1734-35Zenger Case 1734-35 Some freedom of the pressSome freedom of the press