1. AIM: How democratic was colonial America?

2. I. Rebellions
Why? The attempt by some to recreate the social structure of the Old World was met with rebellion!

3. A. Regulators Rebellion
Revolt against corrupt wealthy colonial leaders in N.C. by Scotch-Irish

4. B. Bacon’s Rebellion - VA

5. C. Uprising of Protestants in Maryland
Protestant Civil War against Catholic proprieter
Act of Toleration repealed.
Catholics lose right to vote

6. D. Leisler’s Rebellion
German-Dutch Capt. led a revolt against colonial rulers in N.Y.
Ruled for 2 years then executed by new British authority

7. E. Paxton Boy’s - PA
March on Phil. by Scotch-Irish against Quakers kind and lenient policy towards the Indians
Sig. Lack of respect for government ruling body

8. F. Significance
…a group of middling planters, merchants, or tradesmen rebelled against a group of well-entrenched elites who held a monopoly on power. In none of these cases did participants rebel against British rule. Rather, their struggle was with local authorities who they saw as preventing access to greater wealth or power within the British system.

9. II. Other Rebellions A. Stono Rebellion - 1739
Slave Uprising: Charleston SC
100 with guns and ammunition fled to Florida seeking asylum with Spanish
Caught and executed
Significance: Colonies passed more restrictive laws governing slaves and fed conspiracy theory of more rebellions

10. B. King Phillips War 1670s
Pokanoket Indians led attacks on English settlements intruding on Indian land
Indian Alliance with two other tribes destroyed many settlements
Alliance falls apart – marks an end of any formidable Indian presence in New England.

11. II. Was Society Democratic?
Democratic Undemocratic
Freedom of Press: John Peter Zenger Trial
Freedom of Religion:
Elected Legislatures:
Town Hall Meetings:
Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of CT/Mass Body of Liberties
Rugged Nature of Colonists:
Distance from England
Slavery:
Indentured Servants:
Ruled by a King:
Salem Witch Trials:
Role of Women:
Influence of Church:
Planter Class:

12. III. Conclusion
Limited Democracy for most white males and the development of a large middle class with property ownership.
Minorities were denied civil and political rights
1. Slavery for Black Africans
2. Sexual Discrimination against women
Development of a “social aristocracy” based on wealth, not nobility.
1. Common people often deferred to their “betters” politically and socially “Deference was based on wealth”