Colonial Political Structure, Population, Great Awakening

Chapter 5

Objective #1

• Describe the demographic, economic and social structure of 18th century colonies.

Objective #2

• Identify the major religious denominations of the 18th century colonies and indicate their role in early American society.

Objective #3

• Explain the causes of the Great Awakening and describe its impact on America.

Objective #4

• Describe the development of education, culture and journalism in the colonies.

Objective #5

• Describe the basic features of colonial politics, including the roles of various official and informal political institutions.

18th Century colonial local government

• Religious authority declining• God-given authority of monarch

declining in colonies• Enlightenment: Stable govt needed to

balance interests of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy

• Stable political system is wanted

Types of colonies

8 Royal ColoniesKing Chose Governors

3 ProprietarySelected by Proprietors

MD, PA, DE

2 Self-GoverningElected by the People

CT, RI

13 Original Colonies

Bi-cameral legislature

• Council• Made up of wealthy

men• Appointed by Governor

or King• Similar to House of

Lords• Not hereditary• Served as highest court

• Assembly• Usually made up of

wealthy men• Elected by white male

landowners• Similar to House of

Commons• Represented people• Decisions must be

approved by Council or Governor

• Governor could dissolve

Importance of Land ownership

• Needed to vote (Mass. Changed from church membership in 1691)

• Participation = 40% nationwide (50-75% of free males)

• Anyone could badger, protest, abuse leaders

• People in power had little protection

Assemblies gain more power

• 18th c.- assemblies challenge power of governors (corruption)

• Turning point: 18th c. assemblies gain power of the purse

• Not a true democracy, but much more democratic than England

Immigration Pattern Change

• Emigration from England slows by end of 17th c.– Population stood at approximately 300,000

• Majority of immigrants in 18th century, other then England, were from Africa (“forced immigrants”), Germany and Ireland

• By 1775: 2.5 million colonists (800% increase from 1700)– Black population grew from 28,000 in 1701 to

500,000 in 1775 (20% of the colonial population)

Immigration continued

• 1/5 of the population were slaves by 1775• Higher birth rates and lower death rates by

1775--actually the biggest reason for pop. Growth

• Average age of colonist: 16 (1775)• Ratio of English citizens (to non-English) fell

from 20:1 (1700) to 3:1 (1775)

Areas of growth

• New England tripled in pop (1700-1775)• Chesapeake (400%)• South (400%)• Chart on page 88• Mid-Atlantic (then Chesapeake) colonies

were the most diverse• 10% of population lived in urban area• Non-English had no loyalty to England

More immigration change

• 17th c. immigrants: upper to middle class

• 18th c. immigrants: poor farmers, slaves, some indentured servants

Problem with trade with England

• England’s population is stagnant in 18th c.• As colonial economy grows, look at foreign

markets• England limited manufacturing of goods that

would result in direct competition– No: Textiles– Yes: Rum, tobacco, rum

• Britain moves to stop foreign competition through taxation--will contribute to Revolution

Sectional religious differences

• New England (except Rhode Island): Puritans/Congregationalists

• South: Anglican

• Backcountry: Catholic

• Mid-Atlantic, Chesapeake: German Mennonites, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Anglican

18th c. Churches

• 2/3 of people did not attend church• Churches and ministers unavailable in

some areas• Improved economics and Enlightenment

meant people working for money• Catholics, Jews, non-believers: could

not vote or hold office

Great Awakening (1720-1760)

• Religious movement

• Challenged old sources of authority, doctrines, denominations

Jonathan Edwards

• Preacher who tried to “move” audience

• Revivals in North• Fiery sermons on evils

of hell• Very emotional• God angry with

sinfullness• Ripped salvation

through good works

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George Whitefield

• More national than Edwards

• Spoke to middle and working classes

• Lay exhorting• Religion should be more

individual• Made enemies out of

organized religion• Many converted to

Baptist and other “more open” sects

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Impact of Great Awakening

• Increase in missionary work• Rise of Baptists (especially in South--not

necessarily plantation owners)• Grasped by the poor • Promoted equality of denominations• Increase in belief of separation of church and

state• Skepticism of authority grows• First spontaneous mass movement of American

people