Colonial Life

Colonial Life1607-1700Chapter 4I Can..Differentiate between the experiences of Europeans, American Indians, and Africans during the colonial time period.Unhealthy Chesapeake

Unhealthy Chesapeake Area plagued by malaria, typhoid, dysenteryMost early settlers died youngArea repopulated through continuous immigrationMen far outnumbered womenImmunity to disease increased with later generationsVirginia would go on to become the most populous of all the 13 coloniesTobaccoTobacco became the main cash crop for the Chesapeake regionAfter a few years, tobacco ruins the soil, forcing farmers to move to fresh landMillions of pounds were exported to Europe each yearTobacco became so profitable that more labor was neededBecause of early diseases, natural procreation was slow in ChesapeakeOther labor sources were neededTobacco

Labor NeedsAmerican Indians (AI) died from European diseasesIndentured servants were poor Europeans that desired passage to the new worldIS often signed contracts promising to work for a wealthy landowner for 5 to 7 years.If they survived, they were given freedom. An early custom was also to give them land, but this became increasingly rare.Head-right SystemVirginia and Maryland used the head-right system.Anyone that paid the passage of an IS was awarded 50 acres of land as incentive to build the population.Through the head-right system, the rich accumulated more, and more land.This also accounted for the eventual high population of Virginia; 100,000 IS were brought from Europe by 1700.Bacons RebellionAs the number of former IS increased, they found it difficult to find suitable land.The wealthy planters often kept these poor whites from voting in the House of Burgesses.Many poor whites moved closer to the interior of Virginia, and soon the clashed with the AIs1676: Nathaniel Bacon lead an uprising of former IS against the colonial capitol of Williamsburg.The rebellion was eventually crushed, but the wealthy had learned an important lesson.Significance of Bacons RebellionFirst major class conflict (poor v. rich) in coloniesLead to a decrease in use of ISLead to an increase in use of African slaves

Slavery1619: 1st African slaves arrive in 13 coloniesMost slaves shipped from Africa were sent to Spanish, French, and English colonies in South America and Caribbean.In total, 400,000 arrived in what would become USASlaves were expensive, and if they died a huge investment was lost.The legal status of slaves was not well defined in the early colonial era, and some gained their freedom.Overtime, laws were passed that defined the racial tones associated with slavery.Middle Passage

Africans in AmericaIn South Carolina, rice was the major cash cropRice had been cultivated in Africa, and the knowledge of slaves aided their owners.Rice plantations became harsh environments, with lots of physical labor needed.In Virginia, tobacco was less physically demanding. Many Africans had natural immunity to tropical diseases that plagued the Europeans. Natural procreation of slaves soon made importation less needed.African InfluencesRice cultivationPeanutsOkraMusicReligionFrom Many Cultures to OneAfrican slaves came from a variety of West African culturesSlaves were taken from a variety of tribes and clans that spoke a diverse array of languagesSlaves also had a variety of religious beliefs, including IslamOvertime, slave culture homogenized and most slaves converted to ChristianityMany slaves looked to the story of Moses leading the Hebrews to freedom as inspirationSlaveryNot all slaves worked in agricultureSome were trained to be skilled artisans (bricklayers, tanners, carpenters)slaves often tried to escape1712: Rebellion in NY leads to 12 dead whites and 21 African Americans (AA)1739: Stono Rebellion in SCStill, no slave uprising was as large as Bacons RebellionSouthern SocietyAs slavery spread, so did the gap between rich and poor.Planters owned lots of land, and lots of slavesThey also dominated the political sphereBelow planters were the small farmersOwned some land and possibly a few slavesLandless whites had little power, and depended upon the upper classes for income through jobsIndentured servants, slaves, and AIs comprised the rest of society.Geography of SouthFew citiesCharleston, SC largest seaportMost colonists lived within 50 miles of coastGreat plantations were often separated by many milesSouth much more isolated than northNew England Family LifeNew England did not suffer the health concerns of the southIn fact, the average life expectancy of Northern colonists exceeded that of EuropeansMost of population was comprised of Puritan families that immigratedWomen averaged 10 pregnancies; their lives revolved around childrenNorthern women that owned property were forced to give the property to their husbands (South kept it separate)Midwifery: only profession dominated by women.Puritan ValuesDivorce rareChurch often forced divorced couples back togetherWhat was the scarlet letter?Morals lead many to avoid owning slaves

Northern GeographyComprised of small townsBordered by AI (Iroquois) and French (Canada)Farms not as large as south, closer togetherTowns planned by proprietors; homes surrounded by meeting house and village green

Many towns had a school to teach literacy of the Bible1636: Harvard U founded to teach Puritan preachers (William and Mary 1st in South 1693)

Colonial PoliticsNorth had town meetings (Mayflower Compact!)Direct democracyLocal men had voteOnly church members originally allowed to voteThomas Jefferson on town meetings, best school of political libertySouth had state assemblies (House of Burgesses)Land owners allowed to elect membersDominated by wealthy elite House of Burgesses

Half-Way CovenantWith church membership dwindling in the late 1600s, Puritans introduce the half-way covenantChildren of existing members could be baptized, but not accept communionDiluted spiritual purity, yet enabled church to stay relevant and widened membership

Salem Witch TrialsAs new comers entered New England, the Puritans feared a loss of identityWitch trials were common in Europe, and in 1692 it spread to Massachusetts20 women were executed for witchcraftHysteria ended after the governors wife was accused; he outlawed such trials soon afterDemonstrate the fear of outsiders and waning religious zealSalem Witch Trials

New England Way of LifeRocky soil not great for farmingNot as ethnically diverse as southLittle slaveryPuritans disagreed with AI practice of living off and sharing land; preferred to improve land by clearing itPlenty of livestock in the newly cleared pasturesIndustries: logging, shipbuilding, fishing, and whalingColonial IdealsIdeals of self-reliance and resourcefulness permeate US society todayLife revolved around the seasonsDusk till dawn workdayCult of Domesticity: Women cook, clean, raise kidsMen farmed, cut wood, huntedDespite Bacons and Stono Rebellions there was relatively little separation of classes compared to EuropeEquality and democracy for most whitesTimeline 1607-17001607: Jamestown settled1619: 1st slaves arrive1620: Pilgrims sail on Mayflower1630: Massachusetts founded1636: Harvard founded1662: Half-way Covenant established1676: Bacons Rebellion1692: Salem Witch Trials