1. 17th & 18th Century Colonial Life

2. GPERSIA G = Geography: impact of land, flora fauna, environment P = Political: leaders, laws, political parties, revolutions, judicial rulings, foreign policy, rights E = Economic: Jobs, economic policies, and theories, agriculture, industry, labor, trade, currency, taxes & tariffs R = Religion: groups, people, beliefs and its influence S = Social: Family, gender roles, children, social classes, ethnic groups, population movements, education I = Intellectual: Science, philosophy, technology, intellectual movements A = Arts: Music, literature, painting, fashion, architecture, film, dance.

3. Political Structure All colonies had bicameral legislatures (2 Houses)All colonies had bicameral legislatures (2 Houses) Lower House ElectedLower House Elected –Voted on taxation (with representation) Governors/Upper Houses chosen differentlyGovernors/Upper Houses chosen differently –8 Royal colonies chosen by the crown –3 Proprietary (MD, PA, DE) appointed by proprietors –2 (CT, RI) had elected governors Local Government most important to peopleLocal Government most important to people –New England: Town meetings –South: Sheriff/county administrators P

4. Mercantilism Limited wealth in the world - empires must compete through favorable balance of trade = export manufactured goods, import wealth (gold/silver)Limited wealth in the world - empires must compete through favorable balance of trade = export manufactured goods, import wealth (gold/silver) Colonies exist to benefit the mother country through raw materials and marketsColonies exist to benefit the mother country through raw materials and markets Highly government regulated economyHighly government regulated economy “Navigation Acts” (1650-1673) Trade only on English or colonial-built shipsTrade only on English or colonial-built ships All goods imported to colonies must first travel to English portsAll goods imported to colonies must first travel to English ports Specified goods (tobacco) from colonies could only be exported to England (eventually includes most goods)Specified goods (tobacco) from colonies could only be exported to England (eventually includes most goods)E

5. Colonial Effects of Mercantilism POSITIVES N.E. shipbuilding prospers Tobacco monopoly in England Protection of British military forces NEGATIVES Limited Manufacturing Chesapeake farmers get low prices for crops High prices on manufactured goods from England British government often lax in enforcement, corruption and smuggling was rampant.E

6. The Great Awakening Movement of fervent expressions of religious feeling among masses of peopleMovement of fervent expressions of religious feeling among masses of people Strongest in the 1730s and 1740sStrongest in the 1730s and 1740s Initiated by Jonathan Edwards of MAInitiated by Jonathan Edwards of MA “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”“Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God” God is angry with sinfulness, express penitence or face eternal damnationGod is angry with sinfulness, express penitence or face eternal damnation Expanded by George WhitefieldExpanded by George Whitefield –all over colonies in barns, tents, fields –audiences up to 10,000 God is all-powerful, save only those who openly state belief in Jesus, send everyone else to hellGod is all-powerful, save only those who openly state belief in Jesus, send everyone else to hell Ordinary people with sincere faith didn’t need ministersOrdinary people with sincere faith didn’t need ministersR

7. Effects of the Great Awakening RELIGION Emotionalism common in services Ministers lose authority among people who now study bible at home New Lights (supporters): –Baptists, Methodists Old Lights -(anti) traditionalists - ministers needed to interpret The Bible Causes diversity of sects & competition POLITICS Affects all classes and sections Experience shared by all American colonists Changes how people view authority in general Long-term drive to expand democracy R

8. The Institution of Slavery Increased demand for slavesIncreased demand for slaves 1.Less migration from England—wages increasing there 2.Dependable work force—large landowners disturbed by political demands of small farmers & indentured servants. 3.Cheap labor—tobacco prices fall, need large numbers of unskilled workers for rice & indigo Effect on population:Effect on population: –By 1750: 50% of Virginia, 66% of South Carolina populations are slaves S

9. The Atlantic Slave Trade S

10. The “Middle Passage” S

11. Beginning in 1662  “Slave Codes”  Made blacks (and their children) property, or chattel for life of white masters.  In some colonies, it was a crime to teach a slave to read or write.  Conversion to Christianity did not qualify the slave for freedom.  The overall affect—blacks become social inferiors, racism & slavery become an integral part of colonial society Colonial Slavery S

12. Stono Rebellion 1739 in South Carolina – 20 slaves revolted from one plantation Joined by 80 slaves Militia battle – 50 slaves and 25 whites killed Largest slave revolt during the colonial era S

13. Colonial Education New England First tax-supported schools Required primary school for boys, college prep in large towns MiddleChurch-sponsored or private Teachers often lived with students’ families SouthernParents gave education Tutors on large plantations S

14. The Colonial Press Primary means of communication in the colonies, along with postal servicePrimary means of communication in the colonies, along with postal service 1725—5 newspapers1725—5 newspapers 1776—40 newspapers1776—40 newspapers Typically includedTypically included –European news (1 month late) –Ads for goods, services, return of runaway slaves Essays giving advice for better livingEssays giving advice for better living Few illustrationsFew illustrations First cartoon in Philadelphia Gazette by editor Ben FranklinFirst cartoon in Philadelphia Gazette by editor Ben Franklin I

15. The Zenger Case John Peter Zenger, a New York publisher charged with libel against the colonial governorJohn Peter Zenger, a New York publisher charged with libel against the colonial governor Zenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was true, so it can’t be libelZenger’s lawyer argues that what he wrote was true, so it can’t be libel English law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or notEnglish law says it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not Jury acquits Zenger anywayJury acquits Zenger anyway Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers now took greater risks in criticism of political figures.Not total freedom of the press, but newspapers now took greater risks in criticism of political figures.

16. Colonial Culture Culture mostly flourished among the rich southern planters and northern merchantsCulture mostly flourished among the rich southern planters and northern merchants Architecture—Georgian style; brick or stucco, symmetry, center halls with fireplacesArchitecture—Georgian style; brick or stucco, symmetry, center halls with fireplaces –Public buildings, churches on seaboard; one-room log cabins on frontier Painting—portraits of familiesPainting—portraits of families Literature—mostly religious (Cotton Mather, J. Edwards); political essays (J. Adams, Otis, Dickenson, Paine, Jefferson)Literature—mostly religious (Cotton Mather, J. Edwards); political essays (J. Adams, Otis, Dickenson, Paine, Jefferson) –Most successful: Ben Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac A