Colonial Population Divergence between the cultures of the colonies, tried to distance themselves from Native Americans, population grew rapidly through

Colonial PopulationColonial Population

Divergence between the cultures of the Divergence between the cultures of the colonies, tried to distance themselves from colonies, tried to distance themselves from Native Americans, population grew rapidly Native Americans, population grew rapidly through immigration and natural increase- through immigration and natural increase- by late 17th century Europeans and by late 17th century Europeans and Africans became dominantAfricans became dominant

America in 1700


The “melting pot” was in effect with The “melting pot” was in effect with colonists from different European countries. colonists from different European countries. Differences in cultures were already being Differences in cultures were already being implemented in the behavior of colonists. implemented in the behavior of colonists.


Early settlers included the emerging middle Early settlers included the emerging middle class, business men, indentured servants class, business men, indentured servants and sons of Englishmen who stood to inherit and sons of Englishmen who stood to inherit no land. no land.


Indenture system provided way to cope with Indenture system provided way to cope with the severe labor shortage- came to escape the severe labor shortage- came to escape troubles in England or with hopes of troubles in England or with hopes of establishing themselves. Indentured establishing themselves. Indentured servants bind themselves to a four or five servants bind themselves to a four or five year service in exchange for passage to year service in exchange for passage to America, food and shelter. America, food and shelter.


The indentured system allowed the high The indentured system allowed the high rates labor shortage in the Chesapeakerates labor shortage in the Chesapeake

Life after freedom from indentured Life after freedom from indentured servitude was rough; no land or work. servitude was rough; no land or work. Families had remained in England with no Families had remained in England with no hope of a better future (there were better hope of a better future (there were better opportunities in Pennsylvania and New opportunities in Pennsylvania and New York).York).


By 1670's immigration began to decline due By 1670's immigration began to decline due to decrease in English birth rate and an to decrease in English birth rate and an increase in English prosperityincrease in English prosperity

Conditions of settlement improved, Conditions of settlement improved, improvements in reproduction rate began in improvements in reproduction rate began in New England and Mid- Atlantic coloniesNew England and Mid- Atlantic colonies


Cool climate, relatively disease free Cool climate, relatively disease free environment, clean water, absence of large environment, clean water, absence of large population centers; caused New England to population centers; caused New England to have the best longevity in life (71)have the best longevity in life (71)

The Non-Indian Population of North America, 1700-1780


Mortality rates in Chesapeake stay high Mortality rates in Chesapeake stay high (men just over 40):1 in 4 children died at (men just over 40):1 in 4 children died at infancy due to inadequate food, frequent infancy due to inadequate food, frequent epidemics, malaria, and salty drinking epidemics, malaria, and salty drinking water. Life expectancy: men-71 women-70water. Life expectancy: men-71 women-70

Deaths in colonial era were largely due to Deaths in colonial era were largely due to inadequate medical knowledge. Death inadequate medical knowledge. Death common in childbirth and surgerycommon in childbirth and surgery


Midwives aided in childbirth and used Midwives aided in childbirth and used “medical knowledge” to provide herbal or “medical knowledge” to provide herbal or natural remedies. Medicine rested so much natural remedies. Medicine rested so much on ideas produced thousands of years prior. on ideas produced thousands of years prior. Little support for scientific method-would Little support for scientific method-would gain acceptance in the Enlightenment.gain acceptance in the Enlightenment.


Widows, widowers and orphans formed Widows, widowers and orphans formed substantial portion of white populationsubstantial portion of white population

More women began to arrive in colonies- More women began to arrive in colonies- ratio of men to women became more ratio of men to women became more balanced. Few women remained unmarried balanced. Few women remained unmarried long (20 or 21)long (20 or 21)

Traditional male centered family structure Traditional male centered family structure difficult to maintaindifficult to maintain


Women in the Chesapeake lives' consumed Women in the Chesapeake lives' consumed by childbearing (av. 8 about 5 died in by childbearing (av. 8 about 5 died in infancy or early childhood). Average wife infancy or early childhood). Average wife became pregnant every two years. became pregnant every two years.

Maryland and Virginia created special Maryland and Virginia created special courts to protect orphanscourts to protect orphans


Families stability grew, traditional patterns Families stability grew, traditional patterns of male authority revived- "patriarchal" of male authority revived- "patriarchal" dominated by male head of familydominated by male head of family

New England- more stable, women married New England- more stable, women married young, children more likely to survive, young, children more likely to survive, families more likely to remain intact, less families more likely to remain intact, less independentindependent


Less control over marriage conditions, Less control over marriage conditions, fathers more often alive, parents controlled fathers more often alive, parents controlled children far longerchildren far longer


Men depend on fathers for land, stricter Men depend on fathers for land, stricter parental supervision, Puritan church was a parental supervision, Puritan church was a powerful institution and social presence, powerful institution and social presence, high value on family, principle economic high value on family, principle economic unit- absolute male authority- women unit- absolute male authority- women expected to be modest and submissiveexpected to be modest and submissive


By 1749 indentured servitude being By 1749 indentured servitude being replaced with slavesreplaced with slaves

Slave trade responsible for immigration of Slave trade responsible for immigration of 11 million Africans to North and South 11 million Africans to North and South America and CaribbeanAmerica and Caribbean

African Population of British Colonies 1620-1780


The Caribbean and Brazil’s labor intensive The Caribbean and Brazil’s labor intensive sugar economies created a larger demand sugar economies created a larger demand for slavesfor slaves

First black laborers arrived before 1620. First black laborers arrived before 1620. Fewer than 5% of Africans imported to the Fewer than 5% of Africans imported to the Americas went directly to the English Americas went directly to the English colonies on the mainland- West Indies firstcolonies on the mainland- West Indies first


"Middle Passage" - journey to America"Middle Passage" - journey to America


1670's started importing blacks directly- 1670's started importing blacks directly- Royal African Company- monopoly on Royal African Company- monopoly on trade in mainland coloniestrade in mainland colonies

1690's turning point, monopoly broken; 1690's turning point, monopoly broken; 1700-1760 number of Africans increased 1700-1760 number of Africans increased tenfold to 25 million- basis of southern work tenfold to 25 million- basis of southern work forceforce


"Slave Codes" limited rights of blacks, "Slave Codes" limited rights of blacks, ensured absolute authority to white mastersensured absolute authority to white masters

Subordinated as an inferior raceSubordinated as an inferior race In places like South Carolina slaves and In places like South Carolina slaves and

landowners lived in relative equality; some landowners lived in relative equality; some slaves would be freed after servitude and slaves would be freed after servitude and few went on to own land. few went on to own land.


Flow of immigrants from England declined Flow of immigrants from England declined as a result of better economic conditions, as a result of better economic conditions, new government restrictions on new government restrictions on immigrationimmigration


French Calvinists- Huguenots, revoked the French Calvinists- Huguenots, revoked the Edict of NantesEdict of Nantes

German Protestants- arbitrary religious German Protestants- arbitrary religious policies, arrived in NY, made way to PA policies, arrived in NY, made way to PA

"Pennsylvania Dutch", Quaker colony"Pennsylvania Dutch", Quaker colony

Immigrant GroupsIn Colonial America


Most numerous- Scotch-Irish- prohibited from Most numerous- Scotch-Irish- prohibited from exporting wool to England, outlawed Presbyterian exporting wool to England, outlawed Presbyterian religion, tripled rents- went west, claimed land as religion, tripled rents- went west, claimed land as own, disliked, ruthless, displaced Indiansown, disliked, ruthless, displaced Indians

Scotland- high rents, unemployment; left for Scotland- high rents, unemployment; left for North CarolinaNorth Carolina

By 1775 over 2 million, population nearly doubled By 1775 over 2 million, population nearly doubled every 25 yearsevery 25 years

Colonial Economies

• Farming dominated all areas of European and African settlement. Colonies relied on some relations with Native Americans

Colonial Economies

• Chesapeake- tobacco basis of economy, suffered periodic declines, boom and bust, overproduction

Colonial Economies

• South Carolina and Georgia- rice and indigo (Eliza Eucas), dependent on slaves- more adept at basic agricultural tasks, accustomed to hot weather. Developed less commercial or industrial economy, few cities of modest size

Colonial Economies

• Northern colonies-varied nonagricultural activities, conditions for farming less favorable- cold weather, hard rocky soil

• Farmers in NY, PA and Conn. River Valley cultivated staple crops, supplier of wheat to the south, applied German cultivation methods, women worked too

Colonial Economies

• Attempted industrial enterprises- shipbuilding

• Largest industrial enterprise- Peter Hasenclever, iron making. Employed several hundred German workers

Colonial Economies

• Iron Act of 1750 restricted metal processing in the colonies

• Restrictions, inadequate labor supply, inadequate domestic market, no infrastructure

• Lumber, mining, fishing, - produced goods in New England, exported back to England, thriving commercial class

Colonial Economies

• Half of the country’s farmers were poorly equip (houses didn’t have essentials like pots and pans)

• No currency- relied on a barter system, chaotic commerce.

Colonial Economies

• Triangular trade-maze of trade routes- rum, slaves and sugar. Emergence of merchant class in Northern port cities (Boston, New York and Philadelphia)

Colonial Economies

• British Navigation Acts- excluded non-British ships from colonial carrying trade

• Colonies ignored British laws. Developed markets in French, Spanish and Dutch West Indies. Resulted in obsession with material goods and social status. Luxury goods including tea, linens, furniture, glassware, cutlery and crockery.

Patterns in SocietyPatterns in Society

►Imbalance between land and population Imbalance between land and population became a foundation of English economybecame a foundation of English economy

►17th century plantations-rough relatively 17th century plantations-rough relatively small estates isolated far from cities led to small estates isolated far from cities led to self-contained communities. Wealthy self-contained communities. Wealthy landowners exercised social and economic landowners exercised social and economic influenceinfluence


►Large plantation owners controlled those they Large plantation owners controlled those they employed (or enslaved) and the smaller employed (or enslaved) and the smaller famers in their area with economic influence. famers in their area with economic influence.


►3/4 of slaves lived on plantation with 10 or 3/4 of slaves lived on plantation with 10 or more slaves; nearly half lived in communities more slaves; nearly half lived in communities with 50 or more slaves. with 50 or more slaves.

►Slaves sang in native tongues that reinforced Slaves sang in native tongues that reinforced connection with ancestry. Distinct religion connection with ancestry. Distinct religion blended Christianity with African folklore. blended Christianity with African folklore.


►Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, slaves attempt to escape to Florida, crushed slaves attempt to escape to Florida, crushed the uprisingthe uprising


►Social unit in Puritan New England town, Social unit in Puritan New England town, drew up a covenant among members binding drew up a covenant among members binding them in religious and social harmony them in religious and social harmony

►Houses around central "common", strong Houses around central "common", strong sense of communitysense of community


►Only those who had conversion experience Only those who had conversion experience admitted as full members of churchadmitted as full members of church

►Tightly knit society, rigid patriarchal Tightly knit society, rigid patriarchal structure, strong sense of commercializationstructure, strong sense of commercialization


► 1680's-1690's Witchcraft accusations reflect social 1680's-1690's Witchcraft accusations reflect social strains, resent favored position of eastern neighbors, strains, resent favored position of eastern neighbors, jealousjealous


►Salem Witch Trials- teenage girls in Salem, Salem Witch Trials- teenage girls in Salem, MA accused West Indian servants of MA accused West Indian servants of “voodoo”. 19 citizens in Salem were put to “voodoo”. 19 citizens in Salem were put to death before accusers admitted making up death before accusers admitted making up stories. Arthur Miller’s stories. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible-The Crucible- famous famous example of Trials. example of Trials.

►Most middle aged women, widowed, few Most middle aged women, widowed, few children, substantial land, challenged the children, substantial land, challenged the Social normsSocial norms


►Philadelphia and New York- biggest ports, Philadelphia and New York- biggest ports, served as trading centers, social distinctions. served as trading centers, social distinctions.

►Cities brought urban problems- crime, vice, Cities brought urban problems- crime, vice, pollution, epidemics, traffic. pollution, epidemics, traffic.

The Colonial MindThe Colonial Mind

New spirit of enlightenment- stressed New spirit of enlightenment- stressed importance of science and human reason; importance of science and human reason; people had control over livespeople had control over lives

Church of England never succeeded in Church of England never succeeded in making Anglicanism a dominant forcemaking Anglicanism a dominant force


Differences in church structure, religious Differences in church structure, religious toleration, diversity among religionstoleration, diversity among religions

Catholics most numerous in MD, - deprived Catholics most numerous in MD, - deprived of political rights, forbidden to hold of political rights, forbidden to hold religious services religious services


Populations moving westward, lost touch w. Populations moving westward, lost touch w. organized religion, declining pietyorganized religion, declining piety

Halfway Covenant- gave people of 3rd and Halfway Covenant- gave people of 3rd and later generations right to be baptized but later generations right to be baptized but not right to partake of communion or vote not right to partake of communion or vote in church affairsin church affairs


Great Awakening began 1730s, new spirit of Great Awakening began 1730s, new spirit of religious fervor, residents of areas withreligious fervor, residents of areas with social and social and economic tensions, women, people of all economic tensions, women, people of all backgrounds, intense religious experiencebackgrounds, intense religious experience

George Whitefield - made evangelizing tours George Whitefield - made evangelizing tours offered relief from guilt, no need to rely on clergy offered relief from guilt, no need to rely on clergy to help gain forgivenessto help gain forgiveness


Jonathan Edwards- Jonathan Edwards- orthodox Puritan, attacked orthodox Puritan, attacked the new doctrines of easy the new doctrines of easy salvation for all, salvation for all, traditional puritan ideas, traditional puritan ideas, absolute sovereignty of absolute sovereignty of God, predestination, God, predestination, salvation by God's grace salvation by God's grace alonealone


“ “New light" ministers revivalist New light" ministers revivalist (Whitefield)(Whitefield)

““Old lights” - traditional, weakened Old lights” - traditional, weakened authority of established churches, created authority of established churches, created increasing hostility to the traditional clergy, increasing hostility to the traditional clergy, opened religion to be more diverse, opened religion to be more diverse, strengthened Calvinism (Edwards)strengthened Calvinism (Edwards)


Enlightment began in Europe, argued that Enlightment began in Europe, argued that reason, not just faith could create progress reason, not just faith could create progress and advance knowledge, encouraged to look and advance knowledge, encouraged to look to themselves, not God, new emphasis on to themselves, not God, new emphasis on educationeducation


Families tried to teach children at home. Families tried to teach children at home. Massachusetts law (1647) required every Massachusetts law (1647) required every town to support a public school. White town to support a public school. White males achieved high literacy rates (well over males achieved high literacy rates (well over half of men could read and write)half of men could read and write)


Almanac-first widely Almanac-first widely circulated publicationcirculated publication

Harvard- first American Harvard- first American college, founded to train college, founded to train ministersministers

Cambridge, William And Cambridge, William And Mary- academy to train Mary- academy to train clergymenclergymen


Yale, College of New Jersey (Princeton)Yale, College of New Jersey (Princeton) Kings College (Columbia) devoted to the Kings College (Columbia) devoted to the

spread of knowledgespread of knowledge University of Pennsylvania offered courses University of Pennsylvania offered courses

in utilitarian subjectsin utilitarian subjects Royal Society of London-leading English Royal Society of London-leading English

scientific organizationscientific organization Cotton Mather- small pox inoculationCotton Mather- small pox inoculation


American legal system adopted English American legal system adopted English system and “trial by jury”. Significant system and “trial by jury”. Significant differences visible. American courts were differences visible. American courts were simpler. simpler.

1734-1735 trial of John Peter Zenger, a New 1734-1735 trial of John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher- removed some statutes of York publisher- removed some statutes of freedom of the press by ruling that freedom of the press by ruling that “criticisms of the government were not “criticisms of the government were not libelous if true”libelous if true”


Colonial communities used to running own Colonial communities used to running own affairs. Provincial governors appointed by affairs. Provincial governors appointed by crown. British exerted little power they crown. British exerted little power they believed they had, led to crisis in 1763. believed they had, led to crisis in 1763.

Documents

Colonial Population Divergence between the cultures of the colonies, tried to distance themselves from Native Americans, population grew rapidly through