Chapter 4: Bonds of Empire

1660-1750

13 Colonies• Chesapeake

▫ Maryland 1634▫ Virginia (1607 )1619▫ South Carolina 1670

From Barbados▫ North Carolina 1653▫ Georgia 1732

Direct financial support from London Defensive buffer

Full of debtors

• Middle▫ Pennsylvania (1643) 1681▫ Delaware 1702

Separate assembly granted by Penn▫ New York (1614) 1664

English take over▫ New Jersey (1633) 1674

Split off of New York

• New England▫ Massachusetts 1620▫ Rhode Island 1635/1636▫ Connecticut 1636

Thomas Hooker▫ New Hampshire (1623) 1679

Last in NE Originally part of Mass. Bay

Restoration, 1660-1713• Royal Centralization, 1660-1688

▫ Restoration Monarchy, Charles II▫ Wanted absolute monarchy▫ Did not call Parliament to meet▫ Direct control of colonies

New York Assemblies forbidden to meet Army officers appt. to governor

• New England resistant▫ 1661 Mass. Assembly declared

exempt from all royal decrees/laws▫ Ignored Navigation Acts▫ Mass punished by Charles carving

out New Hampshire in 1679▫ Charter revoked 1684, royal colony

• James II▫ 1686 creates the Dominion of

New England, one single governor

▫ 1688 added NJ and NY▫ All legislatures ceased to

exist Colonists bitter over denial

of rights

• Andros▫ Limited town meetings to one

annually▫ Enforced toleration and

Navigation Acts▫ Puts Catholics in office,

mainly NY

England’s MonarchsCharles II James II

Glorious Revolution, 1688-1689• Fears in England/America

▫ Monarchy sympathetic to Catholics▫ James son baptized Catholic

• Bloodless Revolution▫ James’ daughter Mary and husband

William lead revolution with Dutch army 1688

▫ Royal army defected, James in exile▫ William and Mary create limited

monarchy, parliament meets▫ England’s Bill of Rights 1689▫ Dismantling of Dominion of NE

Andros arrested April 18, 1689 Power to elect govs restored Right to have rep. assembly for

each colony

• Limits▫ Crown appt. Mass. Gov.▫ Property criteria for voting not

church membership▫ Toleration of other Puritans

• Leisler’s Rebellion▫ City militia seized harbor (NY)▫ Capt. Leisler took command

Repaired harbor, called for elections

▫ England arrested Leisler Treason, people outraged

• Maryland▫ John Coode/ Protestant Assoc.▫ Seized capital 1689

Removed all Catholics from office Catholics lost right to vote, had to

worship in private

Revolutionary Events • Changed Political Climate

1688-1689▫ Reestablished legislatures▫ Ensured religious freedom

for Protestants▫ Dismantled Dominion of New

England▫ Encouraged assemblies to

work with royal & proprietary govs

▫ Foundation laid for an empire based on voluntary allegiance

▫ Good relationship between colonies and New England

• A Generation of War, 1689-1713▫ King William’s War 1689

NY and NE invaded New France Both failed

Cruel border wars Iroquois suffered, pop down

20% Grand Settlement 1701

▫ Queen Anne’s War 1713 War of Spanish Succession

▫ Consequences Colonists forced to

acknowledge military weakness and dependence on England

Mercantilism and the Empire

A. Principles of Mercantilism1. Increase wealth (stores of gold in treasury)

of the parent country2. Wealth is the basis of military and political

strength3. Colonies exist to help the mother country

become self-sufficient and create a favorable balance of trade

B. Acts of Trade and Navigation 1650- 16731. Trade can only take place on British ships2. All goods imported to the colonies must pass

through British ports (except some perishables)

3. “Enumerated” or specified goods could only be shipped to England

Mercantilism and the EmpireC. Impact on the Colonies

1. Positives – 1) New England shipping prospers 2) Chesapeake tobacco has a monopoly in

England3) English military protects colonies from

Spanish and French attacks4) all colonists, even slaves = British5) foundation of colony’s shipping industry

2. Negatives -1) limits colonial manufacturing2) Chesapeake farmer receive lower prices 3) Colonists have to pay high prices for goods

from England

3. Consequences1) not necessary and sets bad relationship2) consumer revolution in America

Immigration•Reasons – immigration (both forced and

voluntary) and high birth rate•European Immigrants – varied motives, mostly

settling in middle colonies▫English – came in fewer numbers due to increasing

stability at home▫Germans – maintained culture and took little interest

in English politics 6% of colonial population 1775

▫Scotch-Irish – little respect for British gov’t due to past turmoil 7% of colonial population 1775 Settled in: Western PA, VA, Carolinas, Georgia

▫Other Europeans - Huguenots (French Protestants), Dutch, and Swedes 5% of population in 1775

Immigration• New England

▫ Less immigration▫ Limited land/ difficult

frontier▫ Shift away from towns to

individual towns▫ Didn’t need church

membership to own land anymore

▫ Rise of Boston Trade/ shipbuilding Social hierarchy developed

▫ Yankee traders new symbol of New England

• Middle Colonies▫ Diverse population

Germans French Invasions, bad

economic conditions, Lutheran/Amish

Scots-Irish Militant Presbyterians,

clannish, fleeing droughts/crops

▫ Walking Purchase, 1737 Negotiated, less conflict

▫ High standard of living Widespread prosperity “breadbasket”

▫ Philadelphia Center of wheat trade By 1776, 2nd largest city Merchant dominated

(Quakers) Ben Franklin example

Immigration•Southern Colonies

▫By 1770 2x pop of NE and Middle Colonies▫Huge slave population▫Two agricultural zones:

Upper South Chesapeake Tobacco White majority

Lower South Carolina/ GA Rice/Indigo Black Majority

Population Growth•Africans

▫Largest single group of immigrants By 1775 2% of population 90% lived in the South

▫Held majorities in SC and GA Minorities in N.C., V.A, M.D.

▫Also resided in North as slaves or free wage earners, but still subject to discriminatory laws

• Increased demand for slaves1. Reduced English migration2. Bacon’s Rebellion and other political demands3. Falling tobacco prices, growth of rice and

indigo1. Cheap labor needed

Slavery• Wages

▫ Poor living conditions▫ Carolina- Task system▫ Chesapeake- Gang

system

• Stono Rebellion, 1739▫ 20 blacks seized guns and

ammo▫ Headed for Spanish FL▫ Burned plantations, killed 20

whites (men, women + kids)▫ Militia finally crushed rebellion

• Consequences▫ By 1750

½ VA’s population 2/3 SC population

▫ Led to strict SC legislation to ensure control

▫ become stricter as time progresses, ensuring bondage for life

Structure of Colonial Society

•General Characteristics▫Dominance of English Culture▫Self-government

Each colony had representative, assembly both elected by eligible voters

Only RI and Conn elected governor’s▫Religious Toleration (to varying degrees)

Mass= Least tolerant RI/ Penn= Most tolerant

▫No hereditary aristocracy▫Social Mobility

Structure of Colonial Society•The Family

▫Expanding economy and food supply▫Higher standard of living than in Europe▫Landowning reserved for males▫Unlimited power to husband

Could beat wife▫Women

average 8 children responsible for home and children’s education Divorce legal, but rare

▫Shared labors and mutual dependence ensured stabile family life

Colonial Society• Rural

▫ Most owned just enough to farm

▫ No land for kids to inherit▫ Women had limited rights▫ Self-sufficient

• Urban Paradox▫ Problems

Only 4% of population Declining opportunity

▫ Why? Mainly poor immigrants

arriving High pop density/ poor

sanitation Recessions Urban poverty Wealth highly concentrated

• Colonial Farmers/ Environment▫ Deforestation▫ No crop rotation= depleted

fields

• Rising Colonial Elite▫ Mercantilism leads to more

wealth▫ Richest 2% owns 15% of

property▫ Acted “British”

Colonial Society• NE

▫ Rocky soil/ long winters▫ Subsistence farming

Less than 100 acres▫ Puritan descendants: logging,

shipbuilding, fishing, trading, rum-distilling

• Middle Colonies▫ Rich soil▫ Wheat/corn▫ Indentured servants▫ Small manufacturing/iron making▫ Cities: NYC, Philly▫ Farms = 200 acres

• Southern Colonies▫ Varied climate= varied farm sizes▫ Cash crops: tobacco, rice, indigo▫ Slave labor▫ Plantations= 2, 000 acres

• Monetary System▫ English limited hard currency

To control taxes ▫ Had to be used to pay for imports

Imports exported exports▫ Issued paper money for domestic

trade▫ Led to inflation

• Transportation▫ Easier by water▫ Trading centers located on water

Boston, NYC, Philly, Charleston▫ Role of Taverns

Food/lodging and social centers▫ Postal System

Used horses and water routes

Competing for a Continent, 1713-1750• France / Native Americans

▫ Focused on Louisiana, 1718 Founded New Orleans as

capital Allies with Choctaws Dismal life Bad economy/ depended on

self-sufficiency and trade▫ “Illinois better off”

Exported wheat Remote location Expanded trade in Ohio

Valley

• British / Native Americans▫ Conflict

Carolina Trade in Indian slaves led to

violence 1711-1713 Tuscarora

▫ Result 1/5 killed or enslaved▫ Migrated north, joined 5

Nations 1715 Yamasse

▫ French encouraged Yamassee and Creek Indians to attack English Settlements

▫ English get Cherokee help North

Iroquois allies with English Covenant Chain

▫ Grew powerful▫ Mutual agreement

Competing for a Continent, 1713-1750

• British Expansion in GA▫ Authorized 1732▫ Purchased by Oglethorpe▫ Refuge for honest debtors▫ Subsidized by British

gov’t▫ Founded Savannah 1733

Outlawed slavery No land holdings over

500 acres▫ Low migration= lift on

slavery ban▫ Economy then flourished

• Spain’s Tenacity▫ Repopulate Santa Fe

Livestock ranches, clustered▫ Texas

Counter French influence San Antonio

Lack of security/ Indians▫ Florida

Freedom for English slaves Low population

• Return of War, 1739-1748▫ 1739 War of Jenkins Ear

Britain attacks Spain FL/GA border war

▫ 1740 King George’s War One major battle, Louisbourg

▫ Consequences Treaty angered colonists

Public Life in British America, 1689-1750• Colonial Politics

▫ Most imp. political result of Glorious Revolution was shift away from royal govs to representative colonial assemblies

▫ POWER OF THE PURSE!!!!!▫ Assemblies

Controlled by people Mini “House of Commons” After Bill of Rights, want to limit

gov’s rights▫ Lower Houses

Controlled govs salaries Basically self-governing Elite dominated Built strong power bases 1720- won right to initiate

legislation Tax laws/ public spending

• Who could vote?▫ NE

Any voter eligible▫ Elsewhere

80% of whites barred Must own 1,000 acres

▫ Women/non-whites No voting rights

• Zenger Trial▫ Competitive political life developed▫ New York, 1733

Bitter battle over govs New York Weekly Journal Libel/ Peter Zenger Encouraged political discussion Truth sufficient evidence in libel

case Freedom of speech

Cultural Life• Arts and Sciences

▫ Architecture 1740s, 1750s

Georgian Style Frontier

One-room cabins▫ Painting

Benjamin West John Copley

▫ Literature Religious mainly Pre-Revolutionary

Ben Franklin▫Poor Richard’s Almanack

• Education▫ New England

1st tax-supported schools Law 1647 for primary

schools for boys▫ Middle Colonies

Church or private sponsored▫ Southern Colonies

Limited Plantations - tutors

▫ Higher Education 1746-1769 influx of colleges

• Professions▫ Physicians▫ Lawyers

Protestant Dominance• Dominance

▫ Two established churches in early colonies Church of England (Anglican)- Virginia Congregational Church- Massachusetts

Bay/ Conn.▫ Policies changed on tax-supported

churches

• Anglicans▫ Propserous farmers/ merchants in NY▫ Plantation owners in VA/Carolinas▫ Absence of leadership = hampered

development▫ Headed by King

• Congregationalists▫ Mainly in NE▫ Critics thought ministers were

domineering and its doctrine overly complex

Enlightenment• Ideals

▫ Human reason/scientific knowledge▫ Encouraged people to think for

themselves, challenge reason• People

▫ Isaac Newton, 1687 Gravity/ natural laws

▫ Ben Franklin Embodied American Enlightenment Mulit-talented American Philosophical Society, 1743

Discussed nature, better society▫ John Locke

1690 “Essay concerning human understanding”

“rational” religion, deism Reason rather than the bible Franklin- religion’s value lays in its

encouragement of virtue and morality

• Great Awakening▫ 1737-1738 outbreak of diphtheria

Reminded of fragile life▫ 1739 Revivalism

Cut across gender, race, class Unleashed anxieties Charismatic ministers Religious fervor

▫ People Jonathon Edwards, 1735

Led revival Reemphasized traditional Puritan

doctrines William Tennant (NJ)

Dramatized spiritual rebirth God’s miraculous powers

George Whitfield, 1739 Most famous From England American Tour Massive crowds, followers

Religion

•The Great AwakeningBefore

Long intellectual sermons-Emphasis on God as creator of a perfectly ordered universe

Characteristics of the Great Awakening

-Jonathan Edwards/”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

-George Whitfield

-Emphasis on sinfulness and damnation

-Salvation necessary by God’s grace

Religious Impacts

-Emotionalism

-Rise of new denominations (Methodists and Baptists)

-New colleges to train ministers

-Studying the Bible at home

-Ministers lose some authority

- “Old lights” vs. “New lights”Political Impacts

-Affects every social class

-First large-scale movement of the American people

-Growth of distinctly American culture/unity

-Changing ideas of authority

-Forerunner to Revolutionary thinking

Colleges• 1746-1769

▫ College of New Jersey Princeton 1746 Presbyterian

▫ King’s College Columbia 1754 Anglican

▫ Rhode Island College Brown 1764 Baptist

▫ Queen’s College Rutgers 1766 Dutch Reformed

▫ Dartmouth College 1769 Congregationalist

Setting the Stage• By 1750, British colonies prosperous and

established representative governments and had upper/middle class participating in the Enlightenment

• Torn by class, race, religious tensions• Imperial wars fought with British both drew

colonists closer to mother colony and sparked resentments▫King William’s War (1689- 1697)▫Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713)▫King George’s II War (1744-1748)