Chapter 5 Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution

I. Conquest by the Cradle

1. Settlements have great population growth- doubled the population every
25 years
2. Average age of a colonist was 16, making them a youthful population.
3. Most populous colonies in 1775 were ion Virginia
II. A Mingling of the Races
1. Colonial America considered a “melting pot”
2. Population consisted of: Germans, Scott-Irish, Quakers,, and less than 5% were
French Huguenots, Welsh, Swedes, Jews, etc.
3. Mixing of backgrounds, ideas and races occur and make America diversified.
III. The Structure of Colonial Society
1. America held equality and opportunity for all
2. No caste system, any man could improve himself and climb the social ladder
through hard work
3. The armed conflicts in 169- redistributed wealth and created a number of
merchant princes, who gained wealth and power through their actions during the
wars.
4. War also created orphans and widows
5. In 1730 almshouses were created in New York and Philadelphia
6. Original settlers often had their land subdivided for newcomers.
7. Children began to join the workforce
8. Southern planters continued success added to their mistreatment of slaves, and
encouraged the growth of the slave population
9. Lower classes swelled
10. Black slaves do not enjoy equality, but rather suppression.
IV. Clerics, Physicians, and Jurists
1. Christian pastors had the most honored profession in the early colonies. Priests
had a dramatic influence on colonies.
2. Physicians were poorly trained and not highly esteemed.
3. Epidemics were a constant nightmare. Example: smallpox
4. Law profession unfavorably regarded
V. Workaday America
1. 90% of the colonies people were involved in the leading industry (agriculture)
2. Tobacco was the staple crop in Maryland and Virginia.
3. Middle colonies produced high amounts of grain and became known as the
“bread colonies”
4. Fishing was also a rewarding industry in all the colonies
5. Commerce flourished both locally and oversea.
6. Triangular trade-infamously profitable
7. Manufacturing was of secondary importance, yet it was a diverse industry.
America remained widely known for its agriculture.
8. Lumbering- single most important sect of manufacturing, used mainly to build
boats
9. Colonial Naval stores were highly valued.
10. Britain was anxious to gain and maintain power over the seas.
VI. Horsepower and Sailpower
1. Transportation was a constant problem plaguing the colonies.
2. In the 1700s roads began to connect the cities.
3. Populations clustered around navigable rivers
4. In the mid 1700sintercolonial postal system was developed.
5. Roads were only made of dirt and subject to the weather-often hazardous
VII. Dominant Denominations
1. Two Tax-supported major churches existed in the colonies
a. The Church of England
b. Anglican Church
2. Congregational church had grown out of the Puritan church was very
influential as well.
3. Ministers of the gospel often offered their opinion on political issues.
4. Religious toleration was better in America than anywhere else
VIII. The Great Awakening
1. Two burdens made the Puritan churches sag
a. their elaborate theological doctrines
b. increased efforts to liberalize membership
2. This caused members to slack in their obeying of the laws
3. Priests such as John Edwards used powerful sermons to scare their members
into repenting for their sins.
4. Other priests such as George Whitefield emphasized the helplessness of
humans and their ability to fall into the depths of hell and burn there.
5. Awakening emphasized direct, emotive
6. Spirituality was seriously reconsidered
IX. Schools and Colleges
1. Puritan New England was more interested in educating all, rather than just the
wealthy, than the old style of England.
2. Education was developed for most white boys, but was not extended to females
or multicultural groups
3. Education was most popular in densely populated areas, but not so popular in
the rural outskirts.
4. This was developed from elementary schools all the way through colleges.
5. During the colonial era 9 new colleges were developed for convenience and
economy.
X. A Provincial Culture
1. Art and culture in America were still largely influenced by Europe especially
England
2. The few successful American painters were sent back to England to complete
their training these included:
a. John Trumbell
b. Charles Willson Peale
c. Benjamin West
d. John Singleton Copley
3. Ideas for architecture was also borrowed from Europe, most popular forms
were the Georgian colonial (Virginia) and log cabin
 4. Literature
a. Benjamin Franklin was one of the few American authors of the time
b. Phillis Wheatley- slave girl who overcame all odds and is known for her
insightful poetry
5. Developments in science was rising in Europe, only first-ranked American
scientist of the time is Benjamin Franklin
XI. Pioneer Press
1. Americans were too poor to own books and too busy to read them
2. About 40 colonial newspapers were developed at this time, as well as many
pamphlets, journals, flyers and leaflets.
3. Celebrated court case of 1734-1735
a. Peter Zenger (newspaper man)
b. charged with seditious libel for exposing flawed royal government
c. not guilty
XII. The Great Game of Politics
1. There were a variety of forms of government in the colonies
a. Eight colonies had royal governors
b. Three- Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware- were under proprietors
who themselves chose governors
c. two- Connecticut and Rhode Island – elected their own governors under
self-governing charters
2. Every colony used a two-house legislative body
a. upper house (council)
b. lower house (popular branch) was elected by the people
3. Assemblies were held when the people had a problem with their government or
wished for political change
XIII. Colonial Folkways
1. Plentiful food was in the colonies- but it was monotonous
2. There were no luxuries, like heated churches
3. Life was hard work for most colonists.
4. Holidays were celebrated- except Christmas which was seen as a reminder of
the old world and “Popery”
5. Entertainment
a. the south enjoyed card playing and horse racing
b. the north was entertained through winter sports, quilting and the life
 Chapter 6 The Duel for North America
France
I. 1598-Edict of Nantes
A. granted limited toleration to French Protestants in France
B. led by King Louis XIV
New France
II. 1608- French empire established at Quebec
A. Samuel de Champlain- leading figure “Father of New France”
B. government under direct control of King
C. minor French battles with Iroquois
D. slow population growth
E. beaver furs, recruited Indians in their business, fur trade
F. Jesuits tried to make Indians Catholic
III. 1682- Robert de La Salle down Mississippi to Gulf
A. named basin Louisiana after King Louis XIV
IV. 1701- Antoine Cadillac founded Detroit
V. 1718- Planted fortified posts in Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Orleans
Empires Clash
VI. 1689-1697 King William’s War
VII. 1702-1713 Queen Anne’s War
A. British v. French
B. both sides recruited Indian allies
C. primitive guerilla warfare
D. Spain allied with France
VIII. 1713 Peace Terms at Utretch
A. Britain given Acadia, Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay, trading rights in
Spanish America
IX. 1739 War of Jenkin’s Ear
A. British captain Jenkin’s ear sliced off by Spanish revenue authorities
B. war between British and Spaniards in Caribbean Sea and Georgia
C. British led by James Oglethrope
D. called King George’s War in America
E. France allied with Spain
F. New England invaded New France
G. French fortress Louisburg captured
X. 1748- Peace Treaty, gave Louisburg back to French
George Washington v. France
XI. 1750’s rivalry for Upper Ohio Valley
XII. 1754 George Washington sent to Ohio Valley as lieutenant colonel
A. encountered French troops by Fort Duquesne, French leader killed
B. French defeat Washington at Fort Necessity July 1754
C. 1755 British uprooted 4000 French Acadians (Cajuns)
Global war and Colonial Disunity
XIII. Seven Years’ War
A. Europe: Britain and Prussia v. France, Spain, Austria, and Russia
B. Germany: Fredrick the Great repels French, Austrian, and Russian armies
IXX. 1754 British summon intercolonial congress to Albany New York
A. delegates from 7 colonies of 13 showed
B. purpose: keep Iroquois tribes loyal to British in war, chiefs given gifts
C. greater colonial unity, common defense against French
D. Benjamin Franklin Pennsylvania Gazette “Join or Die”
1. leader of Albany Congress
2. all agree on need for union, but can’t agree on details
Braddock’s Blunder
XX. Braddock tries to capture Fort Duquesne
A. Braddock encountered a small French/Indian army, but was defeated.
B. Indians began murderous path through Pennsylvania to North Carolina
1. Money was offered for a scalped Indian head
XXI. British launch full scale invasion of Canada in 1756á
A. Tried to attack many different forts at the same time, failed
Pitt’s victory
XXII. William Pitt was the foremost leader in the London Government
A. known as the great commoner, very popular
B. Decided so concentrate on Montreal and Quebec
C. Replaced old generals with new leaders
1. John Wolfe was selected to attack Quebec (age 32)
2. He defeated the French though fell fatally wounded (1759)
D. Montreal fell in 1760
Restless Colonists
XXIII. Colonists are getting restless, some 20 thousand American recruits under arms
A. Americans saw that the British weren’t invincible
B. Tension was rising between the colonists and the arrogant British officers.
C. Other colonists refused to provide troops or money for the British conflict.
D. Intercolonial disunity
1. because of rivers, regions and religions
People of Destiny
XXIV. French influence gone
A. The colonists no longer had to cling to Europe
B. Spanish and Indian menaces were also greatly reduced
XXV. Indians attack British posts
A. British retaliated with primitive biological warfare
XXVI. Americans begin to move west
A. Proclamation of 1763, not allowing colonists to move past the Appalachians
B. Many colonists were angered, and some protested
C. Inflated from their recent victories, Britain was angered, a clash seemed
inevitable
 Chapter 7 The Road to Revolution
I. The Deep Roots of Revolution
A. Republicanism
1. Based on Greek and Roman republics
2. All citizens work for the common good, which was required for the
stability of society and the authority of the government
3. Opposed to hierarchical and authoritarian institutions
B. “Radical Whig”
1. Saw America’s liberty threatened by Parliament
C. Americans were accustomed to doing their own things, unaffected by Britain
D. In 1763, Britain tried to enclose the colonists by tightening its grip
II. Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances
A. None of the colonies, except Georgia, had by formally set up by Britain
B. Mercantilism-Britain used the colonies to supply raw materials to become
more wealth
1. American colonists became tenants to Britain
a. tobacco, sugar, ships’ masts
2. Navigation Law of 1650-all commerce to and from the colonies could
only be transported via British ships
3. Later laws said that goods had to go to Britain before entering America
C. America experienced a shortage of money because of importing more than it
was exporting
1. butter, nails, pitch, and feathers were used for exchange
2. Parliament prohibited the colonies from printing their own currency
D. Britain could alter laws passed by colonial assemblies for Britain’s advantage
III. The Merits and Menace of Mercantilism
A. Loosely enforced laws were disregarded
B. Several American industries benefited from the mercantile system
1. ship parts and Virginia’s tobacco
C. America benefited from Britain’s strong army and navy
D. Mercantilism stifled initiative and put a dependency on British agents
1. Many Americans felt that it put them in a state of economic adolescence
IV. The Stamp Tax Uproar
A. Britain enforced Navigation Laws to pay its debt after Seven Years’ War
B. Sugar Act of 1764-raised taxes on imported sugar
1. Were lowered after the colonists protested
C. Quartering Act (1765)-colonies had to provide food and beds for British troops
D. Stamp Act (1765)-tax on paper and fixing of stamps
1. legal documents, cards, pamphlets, newspapers, diplomas, etc.
E. “No taxation without representation”
1. Colonists denied the right of Parliament to tax the colonies
2. Britain replied by saying the colonists had “virtual representation”
V. Parliament Forced to Repeal the Stamp Act
A. Stamp Act Congress (1765)-27 delegates wrote a document to have Parliament
remove the Stamp Act
1. Had a small overall effect, but started something big
 B. Colonial protests of small proportion brought the American people together
1. boycotting of British goods
2. Sometimes turned violent, including Sons/Daughters of Liberty
3. tax collecting broke down, and stamp agents were forced to resign
C. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 after protesting/boycotting
D. Declaratory Act-stated Parliament’s right to bind colonies
VI. The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston Massacre
A. Townshend Acts (1767)-tax on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea
1. Was an indirect customs duty, unlike Stamp Act
2. Revenues were to pay royal governors and judges in America
3. Taken lightly by many colonists because it was light and indirect
4. Tea could be smuggled at a cheap price
B. Britain sent two regiments of British troops to Boston in 1768 to attempt to
restore “law and order”
1. March 5, 1770, 60 townspeople went around 10 redcoats
a. redcoats opened fire, killing or wounding 11 “innocent” citizens
VII. The Seditious Committees of Correspondence
A. Parliament repealed Townshend revenue duties, but the tea tax remained
B. Samuel Adams-organized committees of correspondence in Massachusetts
1. committees were to spread spirit of resistance by keeping opposition to
British authority alive
C. Virginia set up its own committee in 1773, the House of Burgesses
D. All colonies soon had their own committees set up that would exchange
information and ideas with other colonies
1. led to the first American congresses
VIII. Boston Tea Party
A. In 1773, the British East India Company, facing bankruptcy, was overburdened
with 17 million pounds of tea
B. London government helped the company by awarding it a complete monopoly
C. American Reaction
1. Americans cried foul even though it made tea prices cheaper
2. Principle remained more important than price
3. Started to demonstrate and riot
D. Boston Mayor
1. Did not give in
2. Believed that the tea tax was unjust but also that the colonists had no right
to flout the law
E. Radicals, dressed as Indians, dumped the tea into the Boston Harbor.
IX. Intolerable Acts
A. Parliament passes a series of acts to punish Boston.
1. Boston Port Act
a. closed the harbor until damages were paid and order was
restored
2. Town meetings were restricted.
3. Many charter rights were removed.
B. Quebec Act
 1. Guaranteed the French in Canada the Catholic religion and permitted
them to retain old customs
2. Angered both the French and Americans
X. Continental Congress and Bloodshed
A. First Continental Congress
1. Met in Philadelphia to discuss colonial grievances
2. 12 out of 13 colonies attended, Georgia didn’t
3. Lasted 7 weeks
4. Created The Association, which called for a complete boycott
XI. Imperial Strength and Weaknesses
A. Strengths
1. Americans were outnumbered 3 to 1.
2. Had monetary and naval advantages
3. Employed mercenaries and Indians
B. Weaknesses
1. Had no reason to go to war
2. Operated from thousands of miles away
3. America was spread out.
XII. American Strengths and Weaknesses
A. Strengths
1. Had great generals
2. Believed in the cause to fight
3. Fighting on their home turf
B. Weaknesses
1. Badly organized
2. States fought with each other.
XIII. Thin Line of Heroes
A. Lacked troops and supplies
 Chapter 8 America Secedes from the Empire
I. Beginning of Revolution
A. Lexington and Concord, April of 1775
i. “shot heard round the world”
B. Second Continental Congress, May 10, 1775
i. All 13 colonies represented
ii. Began to decide fate of America, would they go to war or not?
II. Congress Drafts Washington
A. Most important action of congress
B. Didn’t seem like the most obvious choice
i. Had never risen past the rank of colonel in militia
ii. Largest command at that point had been 1200 men
iii. Would end up losing more battles than he won
C. Great leader
i. Strong character
ii. Patience
iii. Courage
iv. Self-discipline
v. Sense of justice
vi. More of a moral force than a military mind, a symbol and rallying point
vii. Easily trusted
viii. Would rather see his mansion burned than have his steward give the
enemy supplies
III. Bunker Hill and Hessian Hirelings
A. Difference of opinions among Americans
i. Some were loyal to king, some were not
B. War was inconsistently fought from April 1775 to July 1776
C. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point
D. Bunker Hill
i. Actually called Breed’s Hill
ii. Taken by colonists in 1775
iii. Entrenched colonial sharpshooters took out many British infantry
iv. Was technically a defeat, but was a moral victory for colonists
E. Hessians
i. German mercenaries
ii. England needed men, Germany needed money, so deal was made
iii. Shocked Americans because this made the war “outside the family”
IV. The Abortive Conquest of Canada
A. Thought that they could add a 14th colony
B. Contradicted the colonist claim that they were only fighting defensively
C. General Richard Montgomery captured Quebec and was met there by General
Benedict Arnold
D. They were later kicked out
V. Thomas Paine Preaches Common Sense
A. People mostly did not agree with the idea of independence
B. They soon saw horrible British acts to towns like Falmouth and Norfolk
 C. Common Sense was published
i. Most influential pamphlet ever written, was in favor of the war
VI. Paine and the Idea of “Republicanism”
A. Paine called for new kind of political society, not just independence
B. Was to be formulated after the Roman and Greek governments
C. Absence of nobility appealed to American people
D. Collective good was more important than the good of the individual
VII. Jefferson’s “Explanation” of Independence
A. Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was ratified on July 2, 1776
B. It appealed to the natural rights of man
C. “world’s greatest editorial”
VIII. Patriots and Loyalists
A. Two sides to Americans
i. Patriots
1. Whigs
2. mostly younger people
ii. Loyalists
1. Tories
2. about 16% of colonists
3. “A Tory is a thing whose head is in England, and its body in
America, and its neck ought to be stretched.”
B. Colonists were very ragtag
i. “the Americans would be less dangerous if they had a regular army”
IX. The Loyalist Exodus
A. After Declaration was signed, persecution of Loyalist got much worse
B. 50,000 Loyalists fought for the British
C. many were driven out of the country
X. General Washington at Bay
A. British held New York City
i. Had 35,000 men and 500 ships
ii. Washington only had 18,000 men
B. Americans had suffered many bad defeats all in a row
C. Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776
i. Captured 1000 Hessians who were sleeping off Christmas celebration
ii. Defeated a British detachment at Princeton
iii. These victories were lifesavers for the ragtag army
XI. Burgoyne’s Invasion
A. British try to capture Hudson River valley
i. Gen. Burgoyne comes from Canada
a. Progress slow, flounders while Howe is in Philadelphia
ii. Gen. Howe goes up from New York
a. Instead decides to attack Philadelphia
iii. Gen. Barry St. Leger comes from west
a. Driven back
iv. Gen. Burgoyne forced to surrender at Saratoga.
a. Helped ensure aid from France which ensured American
 Independence
XII. Aid from France and Saratoga Aftermath
A. France wants to aid America to get back at England
i. Had been helping with supplies after Lexington
B. British Parliament agrees to home rule in colonies
C. Louis XVI of France offers Americans treaty of alliance
XIII. Colonial War to World War
A. Spain and Holland enter war against Britain
B. Catherine the Great of Russia organizes the Armed Neutrality
C. Battle at Monmoth
i. Washington attacks British and 1/3 desert
XIV. Blow and Counterblow
A. Some Americans suspicious of French
i. (Leader of French army, Comte de Rochambeau)
B. Benedict Arnold turns traitor- sells out to British
C. British decide to attack South
i. Georgia and Charleston captured
ii. Gen. Nathanael Greene (Quaker) clears most of South Carolina and
Georgia of British troops
XV. Land and Sea Frontiers
A. Indian alliance with Brits
i. Senecas, Mohawks, Cayugas, Onondagas
a. Mohawk chief Joseph Brant wants restraint of American
westward expansion
b. Treaty of Fort Stanwix between U.S. and Iroquois
ii. Indians cede most of their land
B. Oneidas and Tuscaroras side with America
C. George Rogers Clark- captures British Illinois forts
D. American ships authorized to prey on enemy shipping
XVI. Yorktown and the Final Curtain
A. Inflation and lack of unity (1780-81)
B. French Admiral de Grasse agrees to launch attack on Cornwallis with
Washington and Rochambeau
i. Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown
a. Fighting continues a year after
XVII. Peace at Paris
A. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay meet in Paris
B. France wants America independent but weak enough to promote French policy
C. Jay goes to England and signs peace treaty (Treaty of Paris)
i. Boundaries widened (trans-Allegheny area) , and accepts independence
of America
ii. Had to be nice to Loyalists, pay back debt
XVIII. New Nation
A. Only America benefits
B. France is thrown into debt and Revolution beginnings