1. Chapter 3 Society & Culture in Colonial America
I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. – John Locke

3. Racial Composition of Colonial Society
Primarily English
Germans: 6%
Scots-Irish: 7%
Other Europeans: 5% (French Huguenots, Welsh, Swedes, Jews, Swiss, Dutch)
Africans: 25% (90% of slaves in South)

5. Birth & Death
After initial hardships, population expanded in New England & Middle Colonies
life spans increased (10 years more than in England)
Why? Climate, disease-free environment, clean water

6. Southern Colonies life expectancy: 40
1 in 4 children died in infancy; ½
before age of 20
Why? Disease, salt-contaminated
water

7. Population Comparisons: New England v. the Chesapeake

8. Women in Colonial Society
New England
Family structure was stable
Fathers controlled household
Women married early & had an average of 6 children
Women were important to the agricultural economy

9. Women in Colonial Society
Southern Colonies
Women had greater freedom and power because they outlived husbands (this position changed when families became more stable)
Women had an average of 8 children
Childbirth was a frequent cause of death

10. Colonial Economy 90% of population involved in agriculture
Cash crops in South
Food crops in Middle colonies
Fishing also important – major industry in New England
Stimulated shipbuilding industry
Trade & Commerce

11. Triangular Trade 1.

12. Rise of Consumerism Began to associate possessions with social status
People wanted their neighbors to know they were in the upper classes of society
Former luxuries became necessities when they were easier to obtain (tea, linens, furniture, glassware) 1.

13. New Forms of Community: The Plantation
Characteristics
self-contained communities
Most were small estates
Led to a highly stratified society in the south- controlled by large landowners
Slavery impacted the culture & economy- slaves developed own culture (language, religion, etc.)

14. Plantations cont. Stono Rebellion (1739)
South Carolina slave revolt
100 Africans revolted & killed several whites, tried to escape to Florida
Uprising was crushed, participants executed
Increased Southern fear of blacks

15. New Forms of Community: Puritan Community
Town was the social unit
Structured around the “common” – central pasture shared by residents
Very tight knit communities
Town meetings held yearly to decide important issues

16. New Forms of Community: Cities
Largest in 1770s: Philadelphia, NYC, Boston, Charles Town
Trading centers for farmers & for int’l trade
Makeup: merchants, tradesmen, workers, poor

17. Cities cont. Social distinctions were real & distinct
Centers of Industry
Problems: crime, pollution, epidemics
Established elaborate govts
Places were new ideas could circulate 1.

18. Religion 2 tax supported churches Anglican (Church of England)
Official church in GA, NC, SC, VA, MD
Symbol of the King
Congregational
Grew out of Puritan Church
In New England (except RI)

19. The Great Awakening Religious revival movement begun in MA
Preached a stricter form of spirituality
Jonathan Edwards & George Whitefield

20. Caused a rift between “New Lights” & “Old Lights”
Some sects grew, others lost members
Increased religious diversity 1.

21. The Enlightenment Came to America in early 18th century
Stressed importance of science & human reason
Suggested people had substantial control over their own lives
Encouraged new emphasis on education 1.

22. Education Interest was greatest in New England
Diffuse population made education difficult to establish in Southern colonies
Middle colonies: schools were church-sponsored
Colleges: to educate ministers

23. Newspapers 40 existed before Revolution News was not timely
Important tools to air colonial complaints & strengthen opposition to British control

24. Zenger Case (1735) John Peter Zenger: NY editor & publisher
Charged with seditious libel for criticizing NY’s royal governor
English common law: injuring a governor’s reputation was considered a criminal act – even if statement was true!
Jury voted to acquit
Leads to a braver press

25. Government Governor Selection 8 appointed by King
3 selected by proprietors (MD, PA, DE)
2 elected (CT & RI) 1.

26. Government cont. Bicameral legislature
Upper House: mostly appointed
Lower House: elected by people
Had power to tax & paid governor’s salary
Voting Qualifications: religious &/or property requirements
More democratic than England 1.

27. Salem Witchcraft Trials