Unit V: English Colonial Unit V: English Colonial DevelopmentDevelopment

During the 17During the 17thth and 18 and 18thth centuries centuries the English colonies undertook the English colonies undertook social, economic, political and social, economic, political and geographic changes. By 1763 the geographic changes. By 1763 the colonies had begun to take a colonies had begun to take a shape that was different from the shape that was different from the English isles.English isles.

Those changes undertaken were Those changes undertaken were all interrelated and developed a all interrelated and developed a distinct American experience. distinct American experience.

One of the most important One of the most important colonial developments was the colonial developments was the growth of colonial slavery. growth of colonial slavery.

Slavery developed at one time or Slavery developed at one time or another in all 13 colonies but another in all 13 colonies but prospered in the Chesapeake and prospered in the Chesapeake and Southern colonies were climatic Southern colonies were climatic and geographic conditions were and geographic conditions were best suited for the growth of cash best suited for the growth of cash crops.crops.

The colonists had no moral The colonists had no moral objections to slavery because it had objections to slavery because it had been practiced in Europe for been practiced in Europe for centuries and European Christians centuries and European Christians believed it was okay to enslave believed it was okay to enslave heathen people. There was also the heathen people. There was also the belief that Africans were genetically belief that Africans were genetically inferior to whites. inferior to whites.

Slavery had been used on the sugar Slavery had been used on the sugar plantations of the West Indies since plantations of the West Indies since the 1650's but did not take hold in the 1650's but did not take hold in the colonies until the 1670's. the colonies until the 1670's.

Perhaps the greatest reason was Perhaps the greatest reason was the high mortality rate of early the high mortality rate of early Jamestown. Fifty percent of all Jamestown. Fifty percent of all immigrants to Virginia died in the immigrants to Virginia died in the first five years after their arrival. first five years after their arrival. Since slaves could cost twice as Since slaves could cost twice as much as an indentured servant, much as an indentured servant, it was not cost effective to buy it was not cost effective to buy very many of them.very many of them.

African slaves were also more African slaves were also more expensive because of the expensive because of the colony’s distance from West colony’s distance from West Africa. The abundance of land in Africa. The abundance of land in Virginia also served to limit Virginia also served to limit slavery as the poor in England slavery as the poor in England were willing to become servants were willing to become servants with the promise of becoming with the promise of becoming landholders.landholders.

Number of slaves imported into the New World

Another factor in the slow Another factor in the slow development of slavery was the development of slavery was the laws that were passed by the laws that were passed by the local assembly. It was not until local assembly. It was not until 1667 that the assembly repealed 1667 that the assembly repealed a law that banned the a law that banned the enslavement of Christians. This enslavement of Christians. This was important, since one of the was important, since one of the early arguments for African early arguments for African slavery was to Christianize them. slavery was to Christianize them.

Because of these reasons the Because of these reasons the investment of indentured investment of indentured servants was more economical servants was more economical than purchasing slaves until the than purchasing slaves until the 1660s and 1670s. By 1660 1660s and 1670s. By 1660 however, the shift from the use however, the shift from the use of indentured servants to slave of indentured servants to slave labor had begun. labor had begun.

The Carolinas were the first The Carolinas were the first colony to solely use slave labor. colony to solely use slave labor. The aristocratic planters who The aristocratic planters who moved to the Carolinas imported moved to the Carolinas imported slaves from the West Indies to slaves from the West Indies to work their rice plantations. work their rice plantations.

The swampy areas surrounding The swampy areas surrounding the coastal cities of the Carolinas the coastal cities of the Carolinas were perfectly suited to the were perfectly suited to the growth of rice and indigo.growth of rice and indigo.

One of the most important factors for One of the most important factors for this change was the improved quality this change was the improved quality of life in the colonies; mortality rates of life in the colonies; mortality rates had begun to decline making slavery had begun to decline making slavery a better investment. The African a better investment. The African slave laborer imported into the slave laborer imported into the country also had better resistance to country also had better resistance to malaria, which had plagued the malaria, which had plagued the Virginia colony and made the Virginia colony and made the enslavement of Indians virtually non-enslavement of Indians virtually non-existent.existent.

Slavery also fixed the most Slavery also fixed the most serious drawback of indentured serious drawback of indentured servitude, which was the servitude, which was the frequency of change among the frequency of change among the workforce.workforce.

The period of five to seven years The period of five to seven years of servitude was a time in which of servitude was a time in which the servant would become the servant would become accustomed to the work and gain accustomed to the work and gain sufficient knowledge of tobacco sufficient knowledge of tobacco cultivation. They would then cultivation. They would then have to be released though and have to be released though and new servants brought in to new servants brought in to replace them.replace them.

This was inefficient for the This was inefficient for the planter who needed a source of planter who needed a source of constant labor without the constant labor without the turnover. The number of turnover. The number of indentured servants entering the indentured servants entering the colonies began to decline in the colonies began to decline in the 1660s and 1670s as the amount 1660s and 1670s as the amount of available land declined. of available land declined.

In 1676 Virginians attacked two In 1676 Virginians attacked two Indian tribes, the Indians responded Indian tribes, the Indians responded by raiding farms. The Governor by raiding farms. The Governor William Berkeley was reluctant to William Berkeley was reluctant to strike back because:strike back because:

1.1. He had trade agreements with the He had trade agreements with the Indians and did not want to disrupt Indians and did not want to disrupt them.them.

2.2. He already had land and did not He already had land and did not want competition.want competition.

In the summer of 1676 about a In the summer of 1676 about a thousand Virginians from the thousand Virginians from the backcountry and led by Nathaniel backcountry and led by Nathaniel Bacon rebelled. They attacked Bacon rebelled. They attacked the Indians, ran Berkeley out of the Indians, ran Berkeley out of Jamestown and burned the Jamestown and burned the capital. Bacon died of disease capital. Bacon died of disease and Berkeley quickly crushed the and Berkeley quickly crushed the rebellion.rebellion.

The most important consequence The most important consequence of the rebellion is that of the rebellion is that landowners realized there was landowners realized there was very little land to give indentured very little land to give indentured servants so they began looking servants so they began looking for slave labor out of Africa.for slave labor out of Africa.

The aristocratic planters feared The aristocratic planters feared the outbreak of a second and the outbreak of a second and larger revolt than Bacon’s larger revolt than Bacon’s Rebellion and used race to create Rebellion and used race to create contempt for the slaves by all contempt for the slaves by all whites, including indentured whites, including indentured servants.servants.

During the late 17During the late 17thth century the century the English slave trade was English slave trade was controlled by the Royal Africa controlled by the Royal Africa Company which kept prices high Company which kept prices high and supply low. This would and supply low. This would create higher profits over time create higher profits over time for the company, but in 1698 the for the company, but in 1698 the company lost its monopoly on company lost its monopoly on the colonial slave trade.the colonial slave trade.

Over the next ten years as prices Over the next ten years as prices dropped due to increased dropped due to increased competition the number of slaves competition the number of slaves rapidly increased in the colonies. rapidly increased in the colonies. More than 10,000 slaves were More than 10,000 slaves were imported between 1698-1708. imported between 1698-1708.

As the slave population grew in the As the slave population grew in the Chesapeake region the laws Chesapeake region the laws became stricter to ensure the slave became stricter to ensure the slave population would not rebellion population would not rebellion against the vastly outnumbered against the vastly outnumbered planter society. planter society.

Slavery also caused the Southern Slavery also caused the Southern society to distinguish itself as a society to distinguish itself as a distinct planter class and a very distinct planter class and a very large lower class subsistence large lower class subsistence farmer. This planter class farmer. This planter class dominated the House of Burgesses dominated the House of Burgesses and the economics of the and the economics of the Chesapeake region. In the North Chesapeake region. In the North slavery remained very small and slavery remained very small and concentrated in New York and New concentrated in New York and New Jersey. Jersey.

A complex trading system developed A complex trading system developed as a result of the slave trade during as a result of the slave trade during the time period. Trade centered the time period. Trade centered around the sale and transport of around the sale and transport of slaves and the goods they made. The slaves and the goods they made. The basic triangular trade patterns basic triangular trade patterns worked like this: The New England worked like this: The New England area had one thing England really area had one thing England really needed; trees. So in order to get needed; trees. So in order to get money they sold food to the West money they sold food to the West Indies, which they needed to feed Indies, which they needed to feed their slave population.their slave population.

The West Indies would then send The West Indies would then send molasses, fruits, spices and slaves to molasses, fruits, spices and slaves to the colonies. The molasses would be the colonies. The molasses would be distilled into rum, which would be distilled into rum, which would be exchanged for slaves and exchanged for slaves and manufactured goods with English manufactured goods with English slave traders. The last leg of this slave traders. The last leg of this trade system brought Africans on a trade system brought Africans on a long journey to the colonies.long journey to the colonies.

The development of triangular trade The development of triangular trade created a new economic mindset that created a new economic mindset that differed from the desire to accumulate differed from the desire to accumulate gold and silver. gold and silver.

Mercantilism arose in the 17th century Mercantilism arose in the 17th century because governments believed there because governments believed there was a finite amount of wealth in the was a finite amount of wealth in the world and they had to control production world and they had to control production and competition. The idea was to use and competition. The idea was to use the raw materials of the colonies, which the raw materials of the colonies, which would be sent to England and would be sent to England and manufactured and then sold, back to the manufactured and then sold, back to the colonies at a high price.colonies at a high price.

This caused the passage of the This caused the passage of the Navigation Acts between 1651 and Navigation Acts between 1651 and 1673. 1673.

1.1. All goods had to stop in England to All goods had to stop in England to check that 1/2 the crew were check that 1/2 the crew were British.British.

2.2. Foreign ships were banned from Foreign ships were banned from colonial ports, and colonists were colonial ports, and colonists were not allowed to serve on foreign not allowed to serve on foreign ships. ships.

3.3. Certain enumerated goods could Certain enumerated goods could only be sold to England. only be sold to England.

To prevent further insurrections and To prevent further insurrections and the introduction of mercantilism the the introduction of mercantilism the crown began to revoke the original crown began to revoke the original charters of the colonies and place charters of the colonies and place them directly under the control of them directly under the control of the monarchy with a royal governor. the monarchy with a royal governor.

Conflict in England over the future of Conflict in England over the future of the monarchy led the English in 1688 the monarchy led the English in 1688 to dethrone James II and place to dethrone James II and place Protestant William of Orange and his Protestant William of Orange and his wife Mary on the throne. wife Mary on the throne.

Williams ascension to the throne Williams ascension to the throne led to changes in the colonies. led to changes in the colonies. The largest change came with The largest change came with all male property owners being all male property owners being allowed to vote rather than just allowed to vote rather than just church members. church members.

As the population grew in New As the population grew in New England the Puritans began to England the Puritans began to spread onto outlying farms far spread onto outlying farms far from the Church.from the Church.

This led to a decline in This led to a decline in conversions, which were required conversions, which were required before Church membership was before Church membership was granted and the Church was granted and the Church was becoming alarmed. In 1662, becoming alarmed. In 1662, ministers announced the HalfWay ministers announced the HalfWay covenant.covenant.

This allowed unconverted children This allowed unconverted children of existing members church of existing members church membership with baptism but not membership with baptism but not full communion. This weakened the full communion. This weakened the church and clouded the line church and clouded the line between the elect and others. between the elect and others. Ministers spoke about the impurity Ministers spoke about the impurity of the congregation but over time of the congregation but over time the membership of the church the membership of the church opened to everyone erasing the line opened to everyone erasing the line of the elect. of the elect.

In 1692 a witch-hunt began as In 1692 a witch-hunt began as young girls accused certain older young girls accused certain older women of bewitching them. 20 women of bewitching them. 20 people were accused of witchcraft people were accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death. Witch- and sentenced to death. Witch- hunts were common in Europe and hunts were common in Europe and often centered on property owning often centered on property owning women. In New England the witch-women. In New England the witch-hunt may have began because of hunt may have began because of the social and religious conditions the social and religious conditions of the area. of the area.

The accused came from families The accused came from families in the merchant class while the in the merchant class while the accusers came from mainly accusers came from mainly subsistence families. The hunt subsistence families. The hunt ended when the governor's wife ended when the governor's wife was accused and supported by was accused and supported by members of the clergy prohibited members of the clergy prohibited the trials and pardoned those the trials and pardoned those already convicted.already convicted.

There were several key aspects to There were several key aspects to colonial development:colonial development:

1.1. Population growthPopulation growth

2.2. Ethnic diversityEthnic diversity

3.3. Increasing importance of the citiesIncreasing importance of the cities

4.4. Creation of an urban eliteCreation of an urban elite

5.5. Rising levels of consumption Rising levels of consumption

6.6. Stronger internal economyStronger internal economy

7.7. Religious toleration as no central Religious toleration as no central church is establishedchurch is established

By the mid 1700's social and By the mid 1700's social and economic stratification had economic stratification had increased significantly. Much of increased significantly. Much of North America had fallen under North America had fallen under European control, with the European control, with the French in control of Canada. French in control of Canada. These trends along with the These trends along with the EnlightenmentEnlightenment and the and the Great Great AwakeningAwakening transformed the transformed the colonies.colonies.

The Enlightenment was a The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement philosophical movement originating in Europe that originating in Europe that stressed a belief in rational stressed a belief in rational thinking, the advancement of thinking, the advancement of science and the rejection of the science and the rejection of the monarchy.monarchy.

In the early 18In the early 18thth century century enlightenment works reached the enlightenment works reached the colonies and influenced the colonies and influenced the developing colonial elite.developing colonial elite.

The Enlightenment gave the elite a The Enlightenment gave the elite a common vocabulary and subjects to common vocabulary and subjects to discuss, it also encouraged colleges discuss, it also encouraged colleges in America to broaden their in America to broaden their curriculums allowing for more curriculums allowing for more students.students.

Education in colonies was vastly Education in colonies was vastly different depending on the region different depending on the region you lived. In New England the you lived. In New England the common was established using common was established using scripture to teach students to read. scripture to teach students to read. In the middle colonies grammar In the middle colonies grammar schools and elite academies were schools and elite academies were built where students studied Greek built where students studied Greek and Latin. In the south private tutors and Latin. In the south private tutors were hired to teach children in the were hired to teach children in the elite levels of society.elite levels of society.

The first college was founded in The first college was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1636. Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1636. By 1769 eight more colleges had By 1769 eight more colleges had been founded all originally to been founded all originally to educate men to become ministers. educate men to become ministers. The main reason for pre-The main reason for pre-Enlightenment education was to Enlightenment education was to protect people from the evils of protect people from the evils of Satan. In the early 18Satan. In the early 18thth century the century the colonies underwent a spiritual colonies underwent a spiritual transformation in reaction to transformation in reaction to spiritual decline. spiritual decline.

By the 1700s New England colonists By the 1700s New England colonists had become bored with the had become bored with the monolithic and formalistic services of monolithic and formalistic services of the Puritan churches. People were the Puritan churches. People were also concerned about the also concerned about the disappearance of the line between disappearance of the line between the elect and the rest of the the elect and the rest of the population. Finally, the rise of population. Finally, the rise of Enlightenment beliefs stressed Enlightenment beliefs stressed rational thinking over feelings. rational thinking over feelings.

These factors concerned a These factors concerned a number of church leaders who number of church leaders who feared the colonists would reject feared the colonists would reject their faith. their faith.

In 1730' and 1740's a great In 1730' and 1740's a great revival swept through the revival swept through the colonies beginning in colonies beginning in Northampton, Massachusetts by Northampton, Massachusetts by Jonathan Edwards. His sermon Jonathan Edwards. His sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" given at a Church in Enfield, God" given at a Church in Enfield, Conn. 1741; where he described Conn. 1741; where he described hell as being paved with the hell as being paved with the skulls of unbelievers is his most skulls of unbelievers is his most famous sermon. famous sermon.

Four years later George Whitefield, Four years later George Whitefield, an English preacher arrived in the an English preacher arrived in the colonies and began speaking to large colonies and began speaking to large audiences. He used a wonderful audiences. He used a wonderful voice to speak to thousands of voice to speak to thousands of people in open fields and stressed people in open fields and stressed God's will. God's will.

His work though created a split in His work though created a split in religious views between the orthodox religious views between the orthodox clergy called "Old Lights" and the clergy called "Old Lights" and the revivalists called "New Lights."revivalists called "New Lights."

The Great Awakening had many The Great Awakening had many lasting effects on the colonies. The lasting effects on the colonies. The authority of the older clergy was authority of the older clergy was undermined and several undermined and several denominations split. It encouraged denominations split. It encouraged missionary work among the Indians missionary work among the Indians and slaves. New colleges were and slaves. New colleges were founded such as Princeton and founded such as Princeton and Brown. It was the first mass Brown. It was the first mass movement in America and broke movement in America and broke down sectional boundaries and down sectional boundaries and denominational lines unity denominational lines unity Americans into a single people.Americans into a single people.

The Great Awakening convinced The Great Awakening convinced many that churches functioned best many that churches functioned best outside of government control. This outside of government control. This would foster the idea of separation of would foster the idea of separation of church and state. Many Americans church and state. Many Americans realized: If men are to have true realized: If men are to have true religious freedom, they cannot be religious freedom, they cannot be barred from political activity because barred from political activity because of their religion and if all men are of their religion and if all men are equal in the eyes of God, all men equal in the eyes of God, all men deserve equal justice under the law.deserve equal justice under the law.

The development of the English The development of the English colonies, particularity the colonies, particularity the movement westward of the movement westward of the colonies brought them into colonies brought them into conflict with the French and conflict with the French and their Native American allies who their Native American allies who they traded with. they traded with.

Rivalry for the lands of the Ohio Rivalry for the lands of the Ohio valley would be the breaking point in valley would be the breaking point in French/English relations in the New French/English relations in the New World. World.

The French were in the process of The French were in the process of building a chain of forts along the building a chain of forts along the Ohio River to halt English expansion. Ohio River to halt English expansion. The most formidable of which was The most formidable of which was Fort Duquesne located where the Fort Duquesne located where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers joined to form the Ohio, latter this joined to form the Ohio, latter this would become Pittsburgh.would become Pittsburgh.

In July of 1754 Governor Robert In July of 1754 Governor Robert Dinwiddie commissioned George Dinwiddie commissioned George Washington was sent to secure Washington was sent to secure Virginia's claim to Ohio. About forty Virginia's claim to Ohio. About forty miles outside Fort Duquesne miles outside Fort Duquesne Washington encountered a small force Washington encountered a small force of French soldiers, Washington and his of French soldiers, Washington and his troops opened fire killing the French troops opened fire killing the French commander and forcing the rest to commander and forcing the rest to retreat. Washington then began retreat. Washington then began construction of Fort Necessity but was construction of Fort Necessity but was forced to surrender when the French forced to surrender when the French surrounded the fort and laid siege to it.surrounded the fort and laid siege to it.

The French and Indian war was The French and Indian war was the fourth in a line of colonial the fourth in a line of colonial conflicts between the two sides conflicts between the two sides but the first to begin outside of but the first to begin outside of Europe. After two years it spread Europe. After two years it spread over most of the World. over most of the World.

In 1754 the British government In 1754 the British government summoned representatives from summoned representatives from the colonies to Albany, New the colonies to Albany, New York. Only seven of the thirteen York. Only seven of the thirteen representatives showed up. The representatives showed up. The immediate purpose was to keep immediate purpose was to keep the Iroquois tribes loyal to the the Iroquois tribes loyal to the British. The long-range goal was British. The long-range goal was to create greater colonial unity to create greater colonial unity against France. against France.

Benjamin Franklin led the Benjamin Franklin led the conference and proposed a plan conference and proposed a plan for home rule. The for home rule. The representatives approved it but representatives approved it but the individual colonies and the the individual colonies and the King spurned it. Everyone agreed King spurned it. Everyone agreed there needed to be unity but no there needed to be unity but no one could agree how.one could agree how.

Political cartoon published in 1754 by B. Franklin

The British army under the command The British army under the command of General Braddock set out to of General Braddock set out to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755. capture Fort Duquesne in 1755. Braddock marched 2,000 men into Braddock marched 2,000 men into the wilderness hacking away a trail the wilderness hacking away a trail towards the fort. Near the towards the fort. Near the Monongahela River the British Monongahela River the British encountered a small French and encountered a small French and Indian army. Indian army.

The British in their bright red The British in their bright red coats were easy targets for the coats were easy targets for the French and Indians who had hid French and Indians who had hid in the brush. Washington had two in the brush. Washington had two horses shot out from under him horses shot out from under him and Braddock was fatally and Braddock was fatally wounded. wounded.

In 1756 the British launched an In 1756 the British launched an attack on Canada hitting several attack on Canada hitting several outposts at once rather than outposts at once rather than attacking the strong points of attacking the strong points of Quebec and Montreal. In 1757 Quebec and Montreal. In 1757 William Pitt became the English William Pitt became the English Sec. of State, he decided to focus Sec. of State, he decided to focus the British attacks firmly in North the British attacks firmly in North America, especially Quebec and America, especially Quebec and Montreal. He also picked younger Montreal. He also picked younger generals who could adapt to generals who could adapt to fighting in the wilderness. fighting in the wilderness.

The result was British control of Canada The result was British control of Canada with a strong French minority in Quebec with a strong French minority in Quebec and Montreal. The Treaty of Paris was and Montreal. The Treaty of Paris was signed on Feb. 10, 1763 with three signed on Feb. 10, 1763 with three major termsmajor terms

1.1. France surrendered Canada and France surrendered Canada and territory east of Mississippiterritory east of Mississippi

2.2. New Orleans and territory west of the New Orleans and territory west of the Miss. River surrendered to SpainMiss. River surrendered to Spain

3.3. Spain is forced to give Florida to Spain is forced to give Florida to EnglandEngland

The war and its aftermath The war and its aftermath increased tensions between the increased tensions between the British government and the British government and the colonies. There were several colonies. There were several factors during the war that led factors during the war that led to tensions:to tensions:

1.1. The colonists favored Indian The colonists favored Indian style guerrilla tactics while the style guerrilla tactics while the British preferred formal British preferred formal marching.marching.

2.2. Colonial militias served under Colonial militias served under their own captains but the their own captains but the British wanted complete control. British wanted complete control.

3.3. The colonial militias had no The colonial militias had no military protocols.military protocols.

4.4. The colonists were angered over The colonists were angered over the British request that the the British request that the colonists fund the war through colonists fund the war through higher taxes. higher taxes.