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Native Americans and Europeans
33,000 B.C -1754Period One and Period Two
Land Bridge First people came
across land bridge from Asia over 30,000 years ago
Groups spread across North and South America
Established varied lifestyles that were heavily influenced by the environment
Culture and Lifestyle Nomadic and sedentary groups Gender roles varied from group to group Development of corn or maize around 5,000 B.C. in Mexico was
revolutionary in that: Didn't have to be hunter-gatherers, could settle down and be
farmers. Began to establish permanent settlements
Native Americans developed lifestyles based on their environment
Eastern Woodlands Hunting and Agriculture (fur, corn, beans, squash) Hopewell Iroquois Algonquian
Mississippian Hunting and Agriculture
Great Plains Hunting (buffalo) Sioux
Southwest Agriculture (corn) Anasazi/Pueblo
Europe before Exploration Renaissance led to technological innovations
Sailing technology Curiosity to explore
Growth of nation-states led to competition for colonies and trade England, Spain, France, Portugal, Holland Protestant Reformation increased
competition among nation-states for “souls” Catholic countries used religion to justify
subjugation of Native Americans
Europeans come to the New World
1000 first voyages by Vikings Landed in Newfoundland, did not stay
1492 Columbus “discovers” America Financed by King and Queen of Spain Ushers in the development of the
“Atlantic World” or “Atlantic System”a. Europe would provide the market,
capital, technology. b. Africa would provide the labor. c. The New World would provide the raw
materials (gold, soil, lumber).
Columbian ExchangeCauses biological flip-flop of Old and New Worlds. traded plants, foods, animals, germs
Columbian Exchange: From the New World (America) to the Old corn, potatoes, tobacco, beans, peppers, manioc, pumpkin,
squash, tomato, wild rice, etc. also, syphilis From the Old World to the New cows, pigs, horses, wheat, sugar cane, apples, cabbage,
citrus, carrots, Kentucky bluegrass, etc. devastating diseases (smallpox, yellow fever, malaria), as
Indians had no immunities. The Indians had no immunities in their systems built up over generations. An estimated 90% of all pre-Columbus Indians died, mostly due to
disease.
Spanish Empire Spain secured claim to Americas from Treaty of
Tordesillas (1494) 1500’s dominant explorers/ colonizers of Americas Conquistadores explored and conquered much of N
and S America Vasco Balboa: "discovered“ the Pacific Ocean across
isthmus of Panama Ferdinand Magellan: circumnavigates the globe (1st
to do so) Ponce de Leon: touches and names Florida looking
for legendary Fountain of Youth Hernando Cortes: enters Florida, travels up into
present day Southeastern U.S., dies and is "buried“ in Mississippi River
Francisco Pizarro: conquers Incan Empire of Peruand begins shipping tons of gold/silver back to Spain. This huge influx of precious metals made European prices skyrocket (inflation).
Francisco Coronado: ventured into current Southwest U.S. looking for legendary El Dorado, city of gold. He found the Pueblo Indians
Spain Builds and Empire Flood of silver from SA, Mexico caused
inflation in Europe Led to rise of capitalism and commercial
banking, paid for international trade Spanish settlement led to a new “race” a
mixture of Indian, European, African (mestizos), new social structure
Encomienda system established Indians "commended“ or given to Spanish
landlords The idea was that Indians would work and be
converted to Christianity, but it was basically just slavery on a sugar plantation guised as missionary work.
Many question the Spanish treatment of Indians (de las Casas) New Laws passed to prevent abuse of Native
Americans
French Colonization Latecomer to colonizing New World Louis XIV took interest in colonial
expansion First successful colony Quebec 1609 Also claimed the Mississippi River
Valley Colony known as New France Problems with Iroquois hampered
French conquest of Ohio River Valley
French colonies autocratic, no representative assemblies, no right to fair trail
Favored Caribbean colonies because of sugar trade
New France Most valuable resource in New France- beaver fur Fur trappers (voyageurs) trapped beaver, recruited Indians
into fur business Traveled deep into wilderness, created ecological disaster by
eliminating most of beaver population French Missionaries attempted to “Christianize” Indians Voyageurs, missionaries vital role as explorers, geographers French try to block British and Spanish expansion Fort Detroit (1701), keep out British French fortify posts along Mississippi River to keep out
Spanish, protect beaver trade Establish New Orleans (1718) to keep fur and grain flowing to
mother country, keep MS River from Spanish
Comparison: French, Spanish and English
Each country had different motives and settlement patterns
French- friendly relations with Indians (comparatively), tried to convert Natives to Christianity, came in small numbers, extractive economic activity (fur trade), explored deep into continent, Catholic, had economic motives
Spanish- came to conquer (conquistador), looked for and found precious minerals, tried to convert Indians, blended their culture with Native culture, explored deep into continent to look for wealth, Catholic
English- came in larger groups (especially NE), settled and “improved” land, more religiously tolerant, wiped out Indian culture, established their own “footprint”, did not explore deep into continent, mostly Protestant
Different ViewsNative Americans had different view of
things as compared to Europeans. A. Native Americans-no man owned the land, the
tribe did. (Europeans- private property) B. Indians- nature was mixed with many spirits.
(Europeans-Christian and monotheistic) C. Indians- nature was sacred. (Europeans-
nature and land to be subdued and put to use).
D. Indians- little or no concept or interest in money. (Europeans- loved money or gold)
English Settle North America1607-1763
English interest in North America
Within 100 years of Columbus landing Americas radically transformed
1600 most of North America unclaimed, unexplored
In the 1500s, Britain failed to effectively colonize due to internal conflicts.
Elizabeth I became queen, Britain became basically Protestant, rivalry with Catholic Spain intensified.
Late 1500’s English attack Spanish ships for gold (Sir Francis Drake)
First English attempts at colonization (Newfoundland 1583, Roanoke 1585) failed
1588 English defeat Spanish Armada Allows English to cross North Atlantic Victory gives English reason for
exploration/settlement
English Interest in North America
Reasons for English colonization of the Americasa) 1500’s growing populationb) New enclosure laws – less land for poorc) Wool industry collapsedd) Population became mobile (looking for jobs)e) Tradition of primogeniture = 1st born son
inheritsALL father’s land. Younger sons tried their luck with fortunes elsewhere, like America.
f) Unity under a popular monarch
English Interest in North America
Three types of coloniesA. Self-Governing Colonies formed when the King
granted a Charter to a Joint-Stock Company, allowing them to set up its own government.
Early1600s, joint-stock company developed (investors put money into the company with hopes for a good return), provided financing for colonization
Joint-stock companies usually did not exist long, stockholders invested to make a profit, then quickly sell for profit a few years later
It was basically a partnership between Private Investors and the Crown.
B. Proprietary Colonies were basically huge Land Grants from the Crown to trusted officials.
• These Colonial Governors reported directly to the King.
C. Royal Colonies were territories directly owned and controlled by the King.
Chesapeake Colonies
The first permanent English settlements in North America were located around the Chesapeake Bay region.
The two primary colonies in this region were Virginia and Maryland.
Jamestown: First Permanent Settlement
o The first permanent English settlements in North America were located around the Chesapeake Bay region.
The two primary colonies in this region were Virginia and Maryland.
Virginia was originally established as a Self-Governing Colony.
A group of investors in London formed the Virginia Company with the hope of making Instant Profits from the colony’s raw materials.
1607 they established Jamestown, which was England’s first settlement
Jamestown: First Permanent Settlement On May 24, 1607, about 100 English settlers disembarked from their
ship and founded Jamestown. Problems included:
a) the swampy site of Jamestown, poor drinking water, mosquitoes caused malaria and yellow fever.
b) men wasted time looking for gold rather than doing useful tasks (digging wells, building shelter, planting crops)
c) zero women on the initial ship.
1608 Captain John Smith took over control and whipped the colonists into shape, gave order and discipline, highlighted by his “no work, no food” policy.
Colonists had to eat cats, dogs, rats, even other people. One fellow wrote of eating “powdered wife.”
1610 a relief party headed by Lord De La Warr arrived to alleviate the suffering.
1625 out of an original overall total of 8,000 would-be settlers, only 1,200 had survived.
Jamestown: First Permanent Settlement
At first English seen potential allies, relations grew worse when English began to raid Indian food supplies
De La Warr began “total war” against Indians
Early 1600’s clashes decimated Indians pushed them westward, removed them from ancestral lands
European colonization disrupted Native American way of life Disease took out population Trade intensified competition among tribes Tribes along Atlantic seaboard felt effects the
most When colonists could grow their own food
they had little use for Indians, Europeans wanted their land
Virginia becomes a colony
Tobacco savior of Virginia Colony cash crop- Jamestown had found its
gold. Tobacco created a greed for land-
heavily depleted the soil and ruined the land.
From 1616 to 1619, Jamestown’s Tobacco Crops grew nearly twenty-fold.
Representative self-government in Virginia 1619 settlers created the House of
Burgesses, a committee to work out local issues. This set America on a pathway to self-rule
1619 first Africans sold as slaves
Virginia becomes a colony Labor shortages in Jamestown led the British to establish the
Headright System. This system offered 50 acres of land to those who would come and
settle the colony. Needed labor- Indians died too quickly, African slaves too
expensive It also offered land to those who would pay for the transportation
of laborers who could not afford the passage. Indentured Servants were laborers who agreed to work 5 to 7
years in exchange for the cost of their passage to the British Colonies. England had surplus of laborers, turned to indentured servitude By 1700 more than 100,000 indentured servants came to the region Eventually prime land became scarce, land owners did not want to
give up land Freed workers had to hire out for low wages
Bacon’s Rebellion Landless, penniless freemen Single, young No women, money Only land in backcountry Landed elite in the House of
Burgess didn’t want the colonists to expand into the backwoods because of Indian issues
Bacon’s Rebellion Government did not retaliate
after Indian attack 1676 Nathaniel Bacon and
followers, attacked Indians , chased gov. from Jamestown and burned town
Bacon dies from disease, Berkeley captures and hangs 20 rebels
Bacon’s RebellionResults of RebellionA. Exposed resentments between inland
frontiersmen/landless former servants against wealthy gentry on coastal plantations.
B. Upper class planters searched for laborers less likely to rebel- black slaves
C. Gave right to political participation to more small landowners
Socio-economic class differences/clashes between rural/urban communities would continue throughout American history.
Maryland 1634 founded by Lord Baltimore as
Catholic refuge (from Protestant English)
Second plantation colony Huge estates given to Catholic families,
poorer, Protestants settled there also, created friction between two groups
Tobacco main crop, labor source was indentured servants (slaves came in late 1600’s)
Religious toleration Permitted freedom of worship to all
Christians 1649- Act of Toleration, guaranteed
religious toleration to all Christians, but decreed the death penalty to Jews, atheists, others who didn’t believe in the divinity of Jesus
More Catholics in Maryland than any English speaking colony in the New World
Other Southern Colonies
The Carolinas and the West Indies Decline of Spanish power led British to secure Caribbean Islands
Sugar main crop Labor intensive, capital intensive Needed to be wealthy to start plantation Caused large numbers of slaves to be imported
Slave Codes established in West Indies By 1700 slaves outnumber settlers 4:1 Laws defined the legal status of slaves and the rights of the
masters. They were typically strict and exacted severe punishments for offenders.
Sugar plantation system caused islands to depend on American colonies for food, basic supplies
Late 1600s smaller, less wealthy farmers left islands and settled in southern colonies
1670 group arrives in Carolina, brings slaves from Barbados 1696 Slave codes adopted in Carolina Slave codes became model for statutes governing slavery across
colonies
Settling the Carolinas Developed close economic ties with
“sugar islands” Many immigrated from region ,
brought slave trade with them Rice major export crop
African slaves had knowledge to grow rice Slaves had natural immunity to malaria Ideal laborers for rice plantations
By 1710 majority of people in Carolinas were African slaves
Charles Town major seaport Diverse tolerant community Attracted French Protestant refugees Caused friction with Spain
Settling the Carolinas Wild northern expanse of Carolina Settled more slowly because lack of good harbors Attracted outcasts and religious dissenters Raised tobacco and other crops on small farms,
little need for slaves (few large plantations) Distinctive traits: irreligious, hospitable to
pirates, spirit of resistance to authority, , democratic, independent minded, least aristocratic of 13 colonies
1712 separated from S.C.
Georgia 1733-Last colony to be
“planted” Savannah major port Founded by prison reform group,
major leader James Oglethorpe Debtors from England sent there Established as buffer between
English, Spanish Only colony to receive money
from English government Diverse communities Religious toleration for all except
Catholics Least populous colony Restrictive slavery laws
Southern Colonies Agriculture export based economies Life expectancy short Women had more power than in New England
and Middle colonies Slavery in all colonies Small group owned most of the land Rural population made it hard to establish
towns, schools and churches Religiously tolerant Social hierarchy develops by late 1600’s
I. Plantation owners (“first families of Virginia)II. Small farmers largest groupIII. Landless whites, many former indentured
servantsIV. Oppressed black slaves
Few cities, urban professional class slow to emerge
Life revolved around plantation Transportation by rivers, poor roads
Settling the New England and Middle Colonies
Overview Established different patterns of settlement
than plantation/southern colonies Different economies than plantation/southern
colonies Different set of values than
plantation/southern colonies Distinctive regional characteristics began to
develop during this time***be prepared to know the differences***
Great Migration to North America
Between 1620 – 1640, new colonies developed in North America due to the Great Migration of Religious Refugees from England.
The Protestant Reformation and English Civil War created a hostile religious and political atmosphere in England by the 1620’s.
Church members who adopted a reformed theology called Calvinism became known as Puritans.
New England Colonies included Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
Pilgrims Settle in Plymouth◻ King James I harassed Puritan separatists,
went to Holland◻ Looked for haven where they could be free
to worship and live◻ 1620- Negotiated with Virginia Company,
missed destination landed in New England (Plymouth Rock)
◻ Signed Mayflower Compact- set up crude government, submit to the will of the majority, first step toward self government
◻ Male settlers met in open discussion town meetings
◻ Found economic success in fish, fur, lumber◻ Colony never important politically or
economically◻ Significant for moral and spiritual qualities,
established pattern in New England◻ 1691- Merged with Massachusetts Bay
Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony 1629 more moderate group secured royal charter,
formed Mass. Bay Company Used charter as a form of constitution, had advantage of
being out of the reach of royal authority Well equipped group settles 1630, larger scale than
previous settlements Important industries fishing, shipbuilding Became biggest, most influential colony in New England Benefitted from shared sense of purpose, idea of
“covenant” with God
Massachusetts Bay Colony The Puritans created a deeply religious and socially tight-knit
community. Although there was a Representative Government, the Puritan
Church controlled the society through a series of Congregational Town Hall Meetings.
All free adult males, that were members of Puritan Congregations (Congregational Church) had right to vote, participate in political life
Town governments were more inclusive, all male property holders could participate, all business decided by majority vote
Was not a democracy Eventually, in order to take part in the Government or live in
Massachusetts, settlers had to be members in Good standing with the Church.
Religious leaders had enormous influence, govt. duty to enforce religious rules
Religious Dissenters Establish New Colonies
Roger Williams radical separatist, wanted clean break from English church
Challenged legality of Bay Colony charter, taking land from Indians
Did not want civil government to regulate religion 1635- Banished from colony Williams established religious tolerance in Rhode Island Most liberal of all colonies Opposed special privilege, provided freedom of opportunity Settlements consisted of exiles and malcontents from Bay Colony Strongly Independent colony
New England Spreads Out 1635 Connecticut River Valley settled,
largest area of fertile land in New England
1639 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut- like a modern constitution, democratic regime controlled by “substantial” citizens Established unified government in CT First written constitution in America
1662- More religious colony, New Haven merged with Connecticut colony
1677 Maine- absorbed by Mass. 1679 New Hampshire became a royal
colony New England colonies began westward
expansion during this period
The New England Society Climate healthier than south Migrated to region as families, population
grew by natural increase Family stability, intergenerational continuity
(concept of grandparents)Women in New England• Authoritarian male father figures controlled
each household.Recognition of property rights undermine marriage
• Laws established to defend integrity of marriage
Seeds of Colonial Unity in New England
Towns in New England Tight knit society based on
communities Surrounded by other
colonial powers, Puritan unity of purpose
Society grew in orderly fashion, distribution of land by town fathers
Towns of more than 50 had to provide elementary education in Mass.
Democracy in church govt, political govt.
New England way of Life Lack of good farmland led to
frugality of settlers Region less ethnically mixed Diversified industry, experts
in ship building and commerce
Slavery not profitable Saw duty to “improve” land,
clearing, planting, building Religion, soil, climate led to
purposefulness, self- reliance, resourcefulness
Halfway Covenant Factors: growing population, migration from towns, less religious
zeal, decline of conversions Fewer people were becoming members of the church through
profound religious experience, known as conversion In an effort to maintain the church’s influence halfway covenant
was offered as a way to membership without religious experience Half Way Covenant, weakened distinction from “elect” and others Results: wider religious participation, more women as church
members
Relations with Native Americans Spread of English led to conflict with
Indians Epidemics left them with no position to
resist English◻ 1637 Pequot War – English destroy
Pequot (in CT) led to forty years of uneasy peace
◻ English tried to convert natives, put them in praying towns (early reservations?)
◻ Only hope for resistance was in unity Between 1675 – 1676, a conflict known as
King Philip’s War was fought between the settlers and Native Americans.
King Philip was a local reference to the Native American leader known as Metacomet.
1676 King Phillips War ended, slowed westward advance of English settlement, ended Indian resistance in New England
Religious Tension and the Salem Witch Trials 1692 – Salem, MA women
accused of bewitching others, 20 put to death
Resulted from social prejudices- Puritan ideas vs. Rising Yankee commercialism (many accused from prosperous part of town), mistrust of outsiders (Quakers, Baptists accused by Puritan settlers)), cultural mistrust of women (most accused were old women)
Seeds of Colonial Unity in New England 1643 New England Confederation (two
Mass. And two CT colonies) Purpose: defense, inter-colonial problems England did not provide support b/c of Civil
Wars, let colonies become semiautonomous Each colony had two votes Exclusive Puritan club Milestone toward colonial unity 1660 Royalists restored (Stuart Restoration) in
England, Charles II takes more active role, colonies seen as economic asset
Seeds of Colonial Unity in New England 1651-1696 British pass series of
Navigation Acts that spell out goods to be sold, and put the British government in charge of trade
Policy known as mercantilism, basically political control of the economy by the state
Created by royal authority, controlled from London
Colonies existed to benefit mother country
Smuggling becomes big business
Seeds of Colonial Unity in New England
1686 Dominion of New England established, put colonies under Royal control
Restrictions on courts, press, mail, town meetings, schools; revoked land titles
Tax colonies without consent, enforced Navigation Laws
1681-1691 colonists resist royal authority After Glorious Revoluton monarchs relax control
of colonial trade, begin period of salutary neglect
Residue: more English officials in America, prevented rise of local leaders, resentment toward England
The Middle Colonies
◻ Middle colonies had fertile soil, known as “bread colonies”
◻ Rivers- ease of travel, brought people to backcountry
◻ Landholdings were intermediate in size
◻ Ethnically diverse, religious toleration
◻ Economic, social democracy found in middle colonies
The Middle ColoniesNew York The Dutch Colony of New
Netherlands was originally established to exploit the rich Fur Trade in North America.
In 1674, after several Anglo-Dutch Wars, the colony was formally turned over to the British and was renamed New York.
The acquisition of this colony linked the New England Colonies to the Southern Colonies.
Penn’s Holy Experiment Quakers, began in England 1600’s
“quaked” with religious conviction Refused to support Church of England with taxes,
serve in military William Penn establishes an asylum in New World
1681 Penn receives land grant from crown Welcomed all types of settlers Tolerant of Indians Wanted forward looking settlers, liberal land policy Attracted many immigrants
America in 1720
Population growing Permanent settlements
established Transportation,
communication improving British kept hands off
policy Colonists developed own
churches, governments, networks of trade
Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution
Conquest by the Cradle
1775- British had 32 colonies in NA
13 original colonies not the wealthiest
Average age 16 Most population east of
Alleghenies, Appalachian Mts.
By 1775 some had moved west
90% lived in rural areas Shifted balance of power
between colonies and British
Mingling of the Races
Mostly English Germans- 6% mostly Protestant, settled mainly in
Pennsylvania Scots- Irish- 7%, most important non-English group Became squatters, quarreled with Indians, white
landowners 1720’s first moved into backcountry in NC, VA, MD, PA Were squatters on land Tradition of violence, individualistic 1764- Paxton Boys protest Quaker treatment of
Indians Late 1760’s Regulator Movement in NC, insurrection
against eastern dominance of colonies affairs 5% other groups- French Huguenots,, Welsh, Dutch,
Swedes, Jews, Irish, Swiss, Scots-Highlanders African slave trade contributed to population
diversity Laid foundations for multi-cultural American national
identity
Development of Early Colonial Society America land of opportunity No titled nobility Social structure very fluid By mid 1700’s- class differences emerge small group of
aristocrats had most power Because of the wealth generated by trade, Colonial America
developed very distinct social classes. South there was a rise of an elite planter class, or gentry, mostly
located in coastal or tidewater areas where there was easy access to shipping.
New England and the Port cities of the Middle Colonies mostly wealthy merchants who lived in cities and towns where they gained prestige and power.
Western Frontier and Colonial Backcountry was settled by the smaller yeoman farmers and former Indentured Servants.
Structure of Colonial Society
Southern Social Pyramid Plantation owners at top (planters) had many
slaves Small farmers, owned land, few slaves Landless whites, some indentured servants Black slaves at the bottom
Clerks, Physicians, Jurists
Ministry most well respected profession
Physicians poorly trained, medical knowledge was limited and crude
Epidemics, plague feared by people
Lawyers not respected at first, criminals represented themselves in court
By 1750 lawyers seen as useful, played an important role in American history
Workaday America Agriculture leading industry Chesapeake staple crop
tobacco Middle colonies- grain Fishing major industry in NE Yankee (NE) seamen good
sailors, international commerce
Triangular trade- goods from American colonies, travel to Africa (or Europe) traded for slaves, then to West Indies traded for sugar, sold to Americas, huge profits made on each leg of trip
Workaday America Manufacturing not as important Some small industry- rum, iron making, spinning weaving
(by women) Lumber most important mfg. activity (for shipbuilding) British navy depended on American colonies to supply
them Americans demand more British products (b/c fast
growing pop.) British could not buy enough American goods Colonists seek foreign markets Trade imbalance between colonies, British 1733- Parliament passes Molasses Act (along with the
earlier Navigation Acts) to stop American trade with French West Indies
American merchants bribe and smuggle their way around law, creates resentment toward British government
Transportation and Religion
Roads dangerous, poor in 1700’s, only connected large cities
Towns clustered around water sources Taverns, bars along roads places of gossip, news Mail system set up by mid-1700’s, unreliable, postmen
not trustworthy Two established (tax supported) churches by 1775
Anglican, Congregational Anglican- NY,NC,SC,GA,VA,MD Closely connected with monarchy in England Congregational- NE except in RI. Many ministers dealt with political issues, early
rumblings of revolution from Cong. ministers
Great Awakening Religion lost steam in 1700’s , New ideas challenged old ways
(predestination), new ideas of free will 1730’s and 1740’s -Great Awakening Started in Mass.- Jonathan Edwards Deeply emotional sermons, well reasoned, Message of human
helplessness, divine omnipotence Most famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” George Whitfield- emotional sermons, style of shaking, heaping blame
on sinners imitated by others Orthodox clergy “old lights” skeptical of emotionalism “New Light” ministers defended role in revitalizing religion Split congregations, increased number and competitiveness of religions Direct spirituality undermined older clergy First mass movement of American people Contributed to sense that Americans were common people united by
shared experience
Effects of the Great Awakening and Enlightenment Ideas of Enlightenment brought over from
Europe, affected American thought challenged government and religious authority
Emphasized power of rational thought to explain world, appealed to urban, merchant class
Led to expansion of education (colleges and universities)
Ideas represented by Ben Franklin In the South Great Awakening appealed to
landless whites and African Americans, questioned authority of Anglican Church and powerful economic interests
Schools and Colleges Education more important in New England Towns established primary, secondary
schools, had to be able to read Bible High number of college graduates South- rural population, could not effectively
establish schools Education done on plantations by private
tutors, wealthy sent children abroad for higher education
College Education- originally to prepare people for ministry
New England est. first colleges (Harvard first 1636)
New Light” universities Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, Dartmouth
By 1750’s move toward other subjects First nondenominational college University of
Pennsylvania est. by Ben Franklin
Pioneer Presses
Many small newspapers, pamphlets, journals around colonies
Powerful agents for airing colonial grievances, rallying opposition
Peter Zenger Case 1734-1735 New York printer Accused of seditious libel for writing about royal
governor Case not about if statements were true or not, but
fact that they were printed Found not guilty, allowed for freedom of the
press, open public discussion, eventually led to freedom to print responsible criticisms
Colonial Governments
Variety of governments in 13 colonies By 1775 8 had royal governors appointed by king, 3 run by
proprietors and chose own governors, 2 had self governing charters All had two house legislatures (upper house-appointed, lower
house- elected) Had to own property to be a voter Self taxation through representation cherished privilege Some governors corrupt Most had trouble with colonial legislatures, saw gov. as British
mouthpiece Colonial legislatures held money from royal authorities South- local government on county level (run by planters) New England –town meeting, direct democracy Almost half of all males “disenfranchised” Property requirements to vote, ease of acquiring land made this
attainable
American Colonies in 1775By 1775 America more democratic
than EuropeBasically English in language and
customProtestant religionDemocratic ideas of tolerance,
educational advantages, equality of economic opportunity, freedom of speech, assembly and representative government emerged in this period