Chapter 5: Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution 1700-1775 Flashcards
melting pot
The mingling of diverse ethnic groups in America, including the idea that these groups are or should be “melting” into a single culture or people. “Colonial America was a melting pot and has been from the outset.”
sect
A small religious group that has broken away from some larger mainstream church. “They belonged to several different Protestant sects….”
agitators
Those who seek to excite or persuade the public on some issue. “Already experienced colonizers and agitators in Ireland, the Scots-Irish proved to be superb frontiersmen….”
stratification
The visible arrangement of society into a hierarchical pattern, with distinct social groups layered one on top of the other. “…colonial society….was beginning to show signs of stratification….
mobility
The capacity to pass readily from one social or economic condition to another. “…barriers to mobility…raised worries about the ‘Europeanization’ of America.”
elite
The smaller group at the top of a society or institution, usually possessing wealth, power, or special privileges. “…these elites now feathered their nests more finely.”
almshouse
A home for the poor, supported by charity or public funds. “Both Philadelphia and New York built almshouses in the 1730s….”
gentry
Landowners of substantial property, social standing, and leisure, but not titled nobility. “Wealth was concentrated in the hands of the largest slave-owners, widening the gap between the prosperous gentry and the ‘poor whites’…”
tenant farmer
One who rents rather than owns land. “…the ‘poor whites’…were increasingly forced to become tenant farmers.”
penal code The body of criminal laws specifying offenses and prescribing punishments. “But many convicts were the unfortunate victims…of a viciously unfair English penal code….”
veto
The executive power to prevent acts passed by the legislature from becoming law. “Thomas Jefferson…assailed such vetoes….”
apprentice
A person who works under a master to acquire instruction in a trade or profession. “Aspiring young doctors served for a while as apprentices to older practitioners….”
speculation
Buying land or anything else in the hope of profiting by an expected rise in price. “Commercial ventures and land speculation…were the surest avenues to speed wealth.”
revival
In religion, a movement of renewed enthusiasm and commitment, often accompanied by special meetings or evangelical activity. “The stage was thus set for a rousing religious revival.”
secular
Belonging to the worldly sphere rather than to the specifically sacred or churchly. “A more secular approach was evident late in the eighteenth century…”
Results of the Great Awakening
a. Split denominations thus increasing competitiveness of
American churches
– By 19th century, Baptist and Methodist churches were the
two largest in the U.S.
b. Brought religion to many who had lost touch with it
c. Undermined the older clergy
d. Encouraged a new wave of missionary work among
Amerindians and slaves
e. Founding of “new light” colleges: Dartmouth, Brown, Rutgers,
& Princeton.
f. Laid the foundation for anti-intellectualism as part of the
American character.
Education in New England
A. New England was most dedicated to education
1. Stressed Bible reading by community members
2. Primary and secondary schools established early (Massachusetts
School of Law)
3. Literacy much higher in New England than the Chesapeake
region or deep South where only the privileged enjoyed the
benefits of education.
Education in Middle Colonies
- Also had primary and secondary education
a. Some tax-supported, some privately owned
b. Spread-out population made creation of good school systems
difficult - Many wealthy families sent their sons to colleges in England
Education in South
- Educational opportunities limited for most people except the
wealthy. - Wealthy planters hired tutors to teach their children.
- Population highly dispersed; ineffective educational system for
common folks
Royal Colonies
Eight colonies had royal governors appointed by
the crown.
Proprietary Colonies
3 colonies led by proprietors who chose
governors
– Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
Charter Colonies
Connecticut & Rhode Island elected own
governors
under self-governing charters.
American Politics
- Colonial governments did not enjoy the power that Parliament
enjoyed - Yet, colonial governments far more reformed than those in
England
a. Much more direct representation; will of the people more
effective
b. Less corruption - Administration at the local level
a. New England – townhall meetings
b. South – county government
c. Middle colonies – Combination of the above - Voting restrictions
a. The upper class opposed democracy; did not trust common
people
b. Property and/or religious qualifications were imposed
c. As much as 50% of white males were disenfranchised
Development of Democratic Ideals in Colonial America
- Democratic ideal of tolerance emerged
- Educational advantages compared to Europe
- Equality of opportunity much more pronounced than in Europe
- Freedom of speech & the press
- Freedom of assembly
- Representative government
John Locke
Second Treatise on Civil Government (1690) (late
17th century during England’s “Glorious Revolution”)
a. Men set up governments in order to protect their property
b. Natural Rights: Life, liberty, and property
c. Natural right to rebellion: A gov’t that abuses its power
becomes a tyranny. Rebellion can be avoided if gov’t respects
the right of its citizens and if the people defend their liberties.
Baron de Montesquieu
The Spirit of Laws (1748)
a. Checks and balances; separation of powers among 3
branches of gov’t
b. Despotism could be avoided if political power divided and
shared by a diversity of classes and orders holding unequal
rights and privileges.
Adam Smith
Wealth of Nations (1776)
a. Most significant work on capitalism ever written; founded
modern economics
b. Formulated idea of a free economy; contrasted mercantilism
– Free competition, via private enterprise, would result in
greater income for everyone, not just the rich.
