1. APUSH Ch. 4
Frontiers of Empire

2. Chapter 4 – 18th Century America
“As the colonists became more British, they inevitably became more American as well.” (98)

3. Colonial Population
Doubled every 25 years. Why? Natural reproduction was responsible for most of the growth
Diverse – non-English Europeans began to settle in the backcountry
The population consisted of people “forced” to migrate. African Americans were forced but so were convicted felons. They were from England, Scotland, & Ireland. Approx. 50,000 (Transportation Act, 1718). p. 99

4. Immigrants Motives: own their land, become independent farmers
Immigrants preferred to live with people of their own background.
Scots-Irish – the largest group of immigrants
who settled in PA; were squatters; challenged
established authority; moved around a lot
earning a reputation as a rootless people
Germans – 1st group came seeking religious toleration; 2nd group came looking to better their material lives; were great farmers; tended to remain wherever they found unclaimed fertile land

5. Native Americans
18th century – lived in the cis-Mississippian west (near the Mississippi River, the Old Northwest or the area around the Great Lakes)
Many Native Americans migrated to the western backcountry and joined existing confederacies of Indian tribes. Rather than isolating themselves from European colonials, the Indians interacted, traded, and compromised with Europeans as much as possible, effectively creating a “middle ground.” European trade goods, though desirable, often changed tribal organization and structure, eroding traditional roles. Additionally, disease continued to take its toll, claiming Native American lives.

6. Provincial (local) Cities
The 5 largest cities were Boston, Newport, New York, Philadelphia, and Charles town.
Few colonists (only 5%) lived in cities.
Cities were considered port towns that served as entrepots (a commercial/trade center) rather than places to live.
Cities did influence colonial culture. Cities exposed the colonists to English goods and ideas. The upper class especially tried to emulate (imitate) Britain’s culture.

7. American Enlightenment (Age of Reason)
The Enlightenment did not have the same effect on the colonists as it did in England. They welcomed experiments in science but defended their Christian beliefs.
Colonists welcomed the new inventions that would improve their lives.
The Enlightenment did influence colonial leaders and educated colonists to apply reason to solve social and political problems. It influenced how they thought about British authority.

8. Benjamin Franklin
Became a symbol of material progress through human ingenuity

9. Colonial Economics
An abundance of land & the extensive growth of agriculture accounted for their economic success.
Most farmed (tobacco, wheat, or rice) and exported their crops, providing them with money to purchase items they wanted but could not make themselves.
British restrictions: the White Pines Act forbade Americans from cutting white pine trees without a license in order to reserve the best trees for the use of the Royal Navy

10. An American Culture
Trade with Britain helped to “Anglicize” American culture by exposing colonists to British manufactured goods
Intercoastal trade – trade among the 3 regions of colonies, bringing colonists of different background into more frequent contact & the exchange of ideas and experiences.

11. The First Great Awakening
A series of religious revivals
Began in New England, 1730s, spread to VA
Sparked by Jonathan Edwards (Calvinist)
– “Sinners in the hands of an angry God”
George Whitefield – denomination didn’t matter; what did was that you were a Christian; appealed to attendants’ emotions
“New Lights” – refers to colonists who attended the revivals

12. Impact of the Great Awakening
Schools of higher learning were establishing to train men to become preachers – Princeton
Encouraged people to question authority – to take an active role in their salvation
Slaves attended revivals – a democratic movement; Richard Allen established the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Brought colonists into contact with each other

13. Colonial Politics
The Colonists began to question British politics, that maybe it didn’t really work for them; a sign that they were becoming more American than British.
Britain’s constitution, not a written document, had 3 distinct parts which most thought represented the king, nobility, & common people. In reality, the constitution represented the interests of Britain’s landed elite only.

14. How was the structure of the English constitution interpreted by the colonists?
The colonial governor corresponded to the king.
The governor’s council to the House of Lards.
The colonial assemblies – the House of Commons.

15. Why didn’t the British constitution work for the colonists?
The colonists believed in separation of executive & legislative authority and did not believe in patronage, a practice found in Britain.
The governor had enormous powers. They could veto laws, dismiss judges, and serve as military commanders in each province.
Colonial Assemblies (legislatures/House of Burgesses) believed they had to right to protect colonial liberties. They controlled money bills. They did not cooperate with the governors.