Unit 2: The Middle Colonies & Colonial Culture Flashcards
Remarkable Pluralism:
Religious and Ethnic
Major Characteristics:
- Religious Liberty
- Democratic, egalitarian ideals
- Juxtaposition of rich farms, thriving commercial centers
- Complex economy
Economy of the Middle Colonies
- Large hinterland for exportable products
- Major products: wheat, flour, livestock, lumber
- Lucrative fur trade in Albany, New York
Conflicts in the Middle Colonies
- Pro-vs. Anti-Slavery
- Rural vs. Cosmopolitan: East Coast vs. the Western Frontier
The Middle Colonies
Maryland and the Calverts
Calverts
Personal background (1st proprietary grant)
Motives in Founding Maryland
- Outlet for the energies of the Baltimores
- Economic Profit
- Reason of State: Buffer between English Jamestown and Dutch Netherland
- Refugee for Catholics
Powers of the Proprietor
- Title to the land: total discretion
- Control of the colony’s trade
- Complete political power
- Make laws, control the courts
Colonization Incentives
- Headright system: land distribution
- Promise of true religious liberty
- An elected assembly: self-government
The Dutch Regime: New Netherland
- Dutch were mercantile: only commercial goals
- Dutch West Indies Co: Settlers only employees; no voice in government
The Patroon System
Anyone settling 50 adults on land would become Lord of the Manor
Consequences of the Patroon System
- Development of an aristocratic landholding system
- Hindered growth and development of the colony
- Rise of a privileged group of aristocratic land owner
Problems with the Dutch Rule of New Netherland
- English Puritans filtered in, making it hard to govern
- Conflicts with Native Americans (Wars in the 1640s)
Conflicts with Native Americans (Wars in the 1640s)
a. Arrival of Peter Stuyvesant as governor in 1647
Contributions of the Dutch
- Created an enduring commercial center (later New York)
- 1st body of non-English to retain ways and traditions
- Created a new configurations in American politics: voted: “Anti-English”
The English Restoration Affects Colonization in the America
1) Cromwell and the Puritan Roundheads beheaded the king in 1649
2) Rise of Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate
3) 1660: Restoration of Charles II to the throne
4) English claim New Netherland by reason of: “former expedition”
5) English expedition of 1664 met no Dutch resistance
6) Colony turned over to Duke of York, Charles’s brother and renamed New York
William Penn: A Valuable Asset
Educated, wealthy leader for the Quaker Cause, Embarks on the “Holy Experiment”
Quaker Religious Beliefs
- Spark of Divinity in all: “Inner Light”
- Man could perfect himself thru prayer
- Non-necessity of scripture, sacraments, or clergy
- Direct communion with Holy Spirit
- Sought to resist fleshly desires
Manifestation of Quaker Beliefs
- Pacifism
- Equality of the Sexes
- Anti-slavery
- Modern attitudes toward Native Americans
- Refusal to pay taxes
- Lived lives to frugality, self-denial
Quaker Paradoxes
- Frugal, but became wealthy
- Philosophy of religious liberty made them a minority
- How could pacifist leaders protect the colony?
- Believed in equality, but success made them aristocrats
Pennsylvania’s Attractions (Vigorous Advertising Campaign)
- Elective Assembly and Council
- Religious Toleration
- Legal and civil rights assured
- Rich farmland at fixed and fair price
- Favorable tribal policies led to peace
Pennsylvania Politics
- Proprietor appointed the Governor
- House of Representatives elected by freemen to approve laws of governor
House of Representatives elected by freemen to approve laws of governor
Originally a Body of Review, not initiation, but assumed this right by 1700
18th Century Thought and Culture: Generalization
- Original forces die out: new patterns
- Changes in Immigration Patterns: Non English Appear
- Developing “American” Society
- Expansion of Slavery
- Religious Change
Two Major Themes of the 18th Century
- Growing distinction between North and South
- Increased Soc/Pol Complexity
Indentured Servitude (Definition)
Workers bound to masters for a fixed term of service: Free passage
3 parts of Indentured Servitude
- Volunteers, often the poor
- Convicts, prisoners
- Orphans, vagrants, kidnap victims
- Realities of Indentured Servitude
Realities of Indentured Servitude
a. Large floating population of young men, potential for unrest
b. High mobility: families moving around for greener pastures
c. Increasing avoidance of severe working conditions in the South
d. Led to large increase in African slavery in the South
Birth and Death
- Growth in population
- Natural increase
- Increased in Longevity
Women and Families in the Southern Colonies
- Women married young
- Lives consumed in child-bearing
- Standards of sexual behaviors flexible
- High infant mortality rates
- Outlived husbands, remarried quickly
Slavery in the Colonies
Rise of Tobacco as a Cash Crop
Workings of Slavery
- Rise of the African Slave Trade
- The Triangular Trade
- Slaves sold individually
- Regarded as “Chattels”
The Middle Passage: Social/Demographic Implication
- Blacks begin to outnumbered whites
- Passage of “Black Codes”: limited right , freedom of movement
- Black servitude hardens into lifestime slavery
Why were Native American Not Enslaved in the Colonies?
- They were “at-home”
- Strong cultural/support system
- Self-sufficient
Slave Society on the Plantation (South)
- Self-contained communities (50 slaves)
- Developed strong familial structures
- Developed own languages, religions
- Constant surveillance
The Southern Economy
- Agriculturals: Tobacco, Rice, Indigo
- Conditions Severe: Led to rise of slavery
Northern Economy and Technology
- Small mills, metalworks, craftsmen and artisans
- “Natural Resources” industry: lumbering, mining, fishing
Rise of Consumerism
- Material goods = Social Status
- Increasing division of society by class
- Advent of Advertising
- “Luxuries” became commonplace
Rise of the colonial city
- Variety of ethnic backgrounds
- Increase in Urban Problems
- New Cosmopolitan Outlook
Cultural and Religious Outpourings
A. Salem Witch Trials
B. The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening
Outbreak of religious fervor, fueled by evangelical preachers
The Great Awakening Caused by:
Two Schools of Thought
Caused by Two Schools of Thought
- Decline of Puritanism
- Reaction to the New Science
- Johnathan Edwards, George Whitefield
- Objections of the Established Ministry
- Long-term Effects of the Great Awakening
Johnathan Edwards, George Whitefield: Puritan Tenets
Pre-destination, God sovereign, salvation only by God’s grace
Objections of the Established Ministry
a. Itinerancy
b. Bodily Excesses
Long-term Effects of the Great Awakening
a. Legacy: 1st movement experienced by the colonies as a whole
b. Upsurge in Reform
c. Building of new collegs, churches
Legacy
1st movement experienced by the colonies as a whole
