Ch. 3: Colonial Society in the 18th

CenturyClaire Gaposchkin

Claim

•Despite English influence on the colonies they developed their own character as they matured in the eighteenth century that led to the American Revolution

Developing Colonies• dramatic population growth

• European immigrants attracted by the fertile land and steady food supply that led to large colonial families

• African slaves were the majority in some Southern states

• growth of industry and farms (economy still restricted by England)

• industry focused in the North

• farming primarily in the South (plantations with cash crops) and Middle Colonies (corn and wheat)

English Influence• Architecture (Georgian)

• Painting- some artists studied in England/Europe, those who didn’t created their own ‘American’ style

• most governors appointed by the crown, lower house elected by the people (English government)

• lower house of the legislature decided on taxes

• the economy was limited by England (use of hard money, exclusive trade, couldn’t compete)

Georgian House in Salisbury, England

King-Atkinson House, VA, circa 1790s

Georgian Architecture

European-Inspired Art

Death of General Wolfe, Benjamin West

Watson and the Shark, John Singleton Copley

Primitive Portraits

Portrait of Elizabeth Campbell circa 1750, Joseph Badger

Portrait of the young Dart from Charleston, SC, circa 1765,

Jeremiah Theus

American Character• the immigrants brought culture/traditions and religion

that altered the majority English culture

• Pennsylvania Dutch (German immigrants)- noticeable to this day (donuts, funnel cake, angel food cake)

• the many different religions led to religious tolerance

• social mobility (except for African-Americans)

• NO hereditary aristocracy

• if people worked hard they could advance themselves, could become physicians, lawyers, or ministers

The Great Awakening• Great Awakening- 1730s-40s

• increased religious fervor through sermons, outdoor services, and traveling ministers

• distinctly American affect

• people making their own decisions led to democratization and dissatisfaction with the crown

• call for separation of church and state (Anglican church fundamentally connected to the state)

• increased religious tolerance and diversity

George Whitefield

Communication

• The boom in the newspaper industry allowed colonists to spread their own ideas

• ex. Benjamin Franklin in the Pennsylvania Gazette

• writers like Thomas Paine, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson could spread their ideas

• travel and transport over land becomes more popular

• more taverns emerge

• the postal service continues to grow

The Zenger Case

• John Zenger was accused of writing libel about the governor of New York, however he was acquitted because it was the truth

• broke with English law, showing its limited power in the colonies

• separated the colonies from the English aristocracy and royal power

• set a precedent for freedom of the press

• Freedoms

• religious freedom/tolerance (immigrants, Great Awakening)

• somewhat freedom of the press

• speech/communication encouraged (news, post)

• social and economic mobility

• Democracy

• choosing one’s religion

• social mobility (not an aristocratic society)

• to some extent choosing one’s government

• England limited the economy