Chapter 4, Section 5

Ben Franklin a leading citizens in Philadelphia invited colonist to join a society that promote useful knowledge The American Philosophical Society as born

Colonists enjoyed more social equality than people in England did. However classes still existed Gentry: wealthy planters, merchants, lawyers and royal officials Middle class: farmers who worked their own land, skilled crafts workers, and some trades people 3/4of all white colonist belonged to the middle class

Indentured servants: promised to work without wages for four to seven years for whoever would pay their ocean passage to the Americas When their term was over they received “freedom dues,” set of clothes, tools and 50 acres of land

Took care the household, her husband, and family Cooked, milked cows, watched children, and made clothing In cities a young single women from a poor family might work as a maid, a cook, or a nurse for a gentry

Others worked as midwives or sewed Women sometimes learned trades from her father, brothers, or husband Shoemakers, silversmiths, and butchers

Culture of Africans in the colonies varied greatly Rice plantations in South Carolina slaves saw few whites African customs remained strong

In port cities like Charleston more than half the population was black. Worked along the docks making ropes, barrels, or helping to build ships In Virginia and Maryland African traditions were weaker Less isolated from whites

Fewer Africans lived here

Great Awakening: religious movement in the 1730s and 1740s Jonathan Edwards: a New England preacher set off the Great Awakening Called on colonists to examine their lives Warned listeners that unless they heeded the Bible’s teachings “they would be sinners in the hands of an angry God’

1739 George Whitefield, an English minister, arrived in the colonies Drew huge crowds He spoke with passion and feeling as he called on sinners to reform

Supports of the Great Awakening often split from churches and formed new ones The growth of new churches forced people to become more tolerant of people with different religions

New Englanders were most concerned about education Puritans believed people had a duty to study the Bible So they need to learn how to read

1647 Massachusetts assembly passes a law ordering all parents to teach their children to read and understand the principles of religion All towns with 50 families to hire a school teacher Towns with 100 families had to set up a grammar school to prepare boys for college

Public school: school supported by taxes Massachusetts set up the first public schools On e room for all students of all ages Parents paid the teacher with corn, peas, or other food Each child was expected to bring a share of wood to burn in the stove

Middle colonies Churches and individual families set up private schools Pupils paid to attend Only wealthy families could afford to educate their children

Southern Colonies Families lived to far apart to bring children together in one building Some planters hired tutors Wealthiest planters sent their sons to school in England Slaves were denied education of any kind

Apprentice: worked for a master to learn a trade or craft Ex. Glassmaker, papermaking, printing

In New England some girls attended dame schools, or private school s, ran by women in their homes Most school in the colonies accepted only boys Girls learned from their mothers

European scientist tried to use reason and logic to understand the world Developed theories and performed experiments to test them Ex. Isaac Newton’s force of gravity

European thinkers tried to use the same principles to study society They tried to discover natural laws to govern human behavior This movement became known as the Enlightenment

Born the son of a poor soap and candle maker Strong believer in self improvement Had only two years of schooling Used his spare time to study literature, mathematics, and foreign languages Became an important colonial leader

In Philadelphia he started a successful printing business Published poor Richards Almanac

Franklin proved that lightening was a form of electricity Flew a kite during a thunderstorm Bolt of lightning struck wire fastened to the kite and caused a spark

He convinced Philadelphia to pave streets and to organize a fire company He and leaders set up the first lending library