Colonial Life in America
Salem Witch Trials 1692, Salem, Massachusetts Young girls, under the influence
of Titchuba (a pastors slave) begin misbehaving and accusing “trouble makers” as witches.
People begin to get sick and cattle die, townspeople talk of evil doings.
Evil had to be done away with Neighbors begin accusing each
other to “settle a score” By 1692 19 victims were tried
and executed as being suspected as witches.
Stopped when accusations reached prominent families and the Governors wife.
English Civil War / Glorious Revolution English Civil War
› 1640’s, England developed a Civil War over the power of the crown and Parliament
› Paid little attention to colonies.
› King Charles I vs. Parliament› Parliament: feel the king
has too much authority in passing taxes etc.
› King Charles I is overthrown and beheaded
› Due to lack of stability, Parliament invites Charles II to be the new king in 1660.
Elimination of Dutch Influence› 1664, England wanted
to eliminate Dutch trade competition in America.
› Captured New Netherlands and renamed it New York after James, the Duke of York.
› James II became king and took control of New England Colonies and renamed it the Dominion of New England
Glorious Revolution› 1689, Parliament invited
James II daughter Mary and Husband William to overthrow the King.
› Sets up protestant Kings in Europe / Anglican Church
› James II abdicates the thrown.
› Queen Mary and King William
› Restore charters of New England Colonies
› English Bill of Rights Guarantees basic rights
documented for English Citizens.
From Magna Carta Habeas Corpus
Puritans and Quakers Puritans
› New England Colonies, Mass.
› Did not get along with Natives, constantly at “war” Praying towns – conversion of
NativesTake land from Natives
› Very strict and formal› Life structure centered
around the church› Ministers were community
leaders / politicians.› Strict interpretation of Bible› John Winthrop
Quakers› Middle Colonies, Penn.› Pacifists. › Friendly relations with
Natives Purchased land from
Natives
› No formal ministers.› Speak as spirit moves
you.› Plain and ordinary dress
in “church”› Religious toleration of
Natives› William Penn
Puritan Rebels
Roger Williams› Puritan Minister› Founded Rhode
Island / Providence for religious freedom and toleration
› Banished from Mass. For undermining the church. John Winthrop (Gov.) allowed him to slip away.
Anne Hutchinson› Woman› Held services in
home› Spirit is within you› Follow the word of
God, not the word of the “Church”
› Banished, fled to Rhode Island
› Widowed, mother of 12.
Native American Conflict Pequot War
› 1630’s› New England was trading furs
with Pequot's, and in competition
› Control of the trade became a struggle
› Spread of English territories and land.
› Puritans accused Pequots of murdering an English trader, denied.
› Puritans allied themselves with Narragansett and Mohegan (enemies of Pequot)
› Attacked Pequot village and Pequots retaliated.
Extremely brutal and violent
Treaty of Hartford ends conflict
Pequots are eleminated
King Phillip’s War› Metacom aka King Phillip› 1675, rebellion of several
Indian Tribes› Acquired guns from
European traders, ran out of ammunition.
› Crops and fields destroyed by colonists, food supply started running out.
› Metacom killed by “praying” Indian during battle
› 1,000 English, 3,000 Indians dead
› Southern New England now is controlled by English.
Slave Trade
Middle Passage› Describes the horrific
conditions of the journey from Africa to the America’s
Slavery in South› Jamestown, VA around
1607› Sparse population lead to
the need of more laborers.
› 1st indentured servants› About 1,500,000 slaves
imported during the 1700’s.
Enlightenment vs. Great Awakening Enlightenment
› Scientific reasoning› Science will and
does explain natural occurrences
› Everything has a reason of why and how.
› Benjamin Franklin Inventor, scientist,
philosopher, Quaker background
Great Awakening› Puritan revival› Repent of your sins› Refocus on faith› Enlightenment was
blasphemous› Jonathan Edwards
Hell, Fire, and Brimstone sermons, “In the Hands of an Angry God”