Beginnings of an American Identity

Chapter 5

Colonist Eliza Lucas

Pickney moved to South

Carolina from the West

Indies. Her Father left

and mother died ,so she

was left in charge of the

plantation. She grew

Indigo and the plantation

she ran became the

largest in South Carolina.

Section 1 Early American Culture

British culture remained foundation of colonial societies

Colonists adapted old ways to new world, The American Identity was born

New Kind of Society

Cheap farmland and abundant resources gave colonists a chance to prosper.

Land ownership gave colonists political rightsWhite male could voteCity dwellers could vote by paying a fee

Land, Wealth, and Rights

America1. Not tilted aristocracy2. Large middle class3. Huge underclass of slavesPoor colonists could rise to middle class

Social Mobility

Working WorldWomen

1. Household chores – Farm2. Ran Inns or Business- Urban3. Women could not own land without their

husbands approval4. Even money earned was owned by husband

• Men- 1. Outside Chores• Had 6-8 children in family

Colonial Life

Boys age 13 – worked as apprentices: They worked on a skill or trade from an experienced craftsperson for 4-7 years. They could work for wages or start their own business.

Girls age 13- Sent away to other households to learn a special skill.

Colonies had a high rate of Literacy: Ability to read and write

85% of men Educated African Americans were rare. It

was illegal to teach them to read.Children were taught to read the Bible

Education and Literacy

Ben Franklin wrote Poor Richards Almanac

They were very popularContained

CalendarWeather predictionStar chartHome remediesJokesproverbs

Almanacs

Religious RevivalGreat Awakening (1730- 1740) : Christian

Religious Revival . It offered hope that a person could break away from past and begin a spiritual relationship with God. Evangelicalism: spiritual renewal or rebirth.

Enlightenment: A movement stressing human reason

Both offered ways to change themselves and their world.

Growing Diversity

Traveling ministries preached that inner religious emotions were more important than outward religious behavior.

John Edwards A preacher that offered hope that all could be

saved.Evangelism: influenced American CultureSouth: spiritual equality threatened social

systemBaptist: allowed slaves to preach and women

to speak in church.

George Whitefield: A Preacher influenced by the Great AwakeningThousands of people would show up for his

sermons Raised money for the house of orphansThe Great Awakening: Led Americans in the

belief of spiritual equality1. Encouraged colonists to challenge authority2. Question traditional religious practices.

Enlightenment: explored human reason and science as the path of knowledge

A famous enlightenment figure was Ben Franklin: he conducted scientific experiments to discover the laws of nature.

John Locke : Challenged the belief that the King had a God given right to rule

He argued the people had the natural right ofLifeLibertyProperty

The Enlightenment

Human beings can improve society and the world

Colonists are starting to see British Government as a threat to their rights and freedoms

THE RIGHTS OF ENGLISHMENEngland was one of the most advanced political

democracy and was envied by the world.Colonists were very protective of their rights

“Rights of Englishmen”They shared a belief in legal and political

principles and that helped to tie the colonies together.

English Rights – 1st step towards guarantee these rights 1215

English nobels forced King John to sign the Magna Carta

Section 2 Roots of American Democracy

Magna Carta: A charter of English political and civil liberties.Property could not be seized by kingCouldn’t be taxed unless agreed unless agreed

by council (Prominent Men)Couldn’t be put on trial based on official’s

word, without witnesses.Punished by a jury of their peers.

By signing this the King agreed he was not above the law. He was to obey the law of the land.

England's law making body was the model for colonist government

Parliament had two housesHouse of Commons (elected)House of Lords (not elected) Nobles, Judges,

and priestsHouse of Commons was similar to House of

Burgesses in Virginia1. imposed taxes2. managed colonies

Conflicts arose even more when King appointed Royal Governors

Parliament and Colonial Government

Relationships between assemblies and English government caused tension on both sides of the Atlantic

Mass. People were ignoring the navigation actsKing Charles II got mad and canceled their

charter: Their right to self governKing John became king in 1685 – wanted to take

more royal power. He grouped northern colonies into “The Dominion of New England”

Appointed Governor – Edmund Andros1. ended representatives2. limited town meetings

English Rights Threatened

James II 1. restricted English Rights2. Punished Protestant Rebellions3. dismissed Parliament

Outraged by James II decisions Parliament offered the throne to daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange

Change called “Glorious Revolution”They agreed to uphold the “English Bill of Rights”: a

list of specific rights of English and ParliamentCouldn’t cancel laws or oppose taxes- Free elections

-- No Excessive Fines --- Frequent Meetings -- No cruel punishment

William and Mary Restore English Rights

People could complain to King or Queen without punishment

Freedom of Press 1735- John Peter Zenger- New York Weekly Journal

Stood trial to criticizing New York governorIt was illegal to criticize King in printAndrew Hamilton represented the right to

speak the truth and the jury agreedFreedom of Press was an important right in

AmericaHeritage: tradition

Chief Pontiac- leader of the Ottawa- He lead raids against the British who took over French forts in Great Lakes region.

The conflict was known as Pontiacs RebellionFrench and English powers in America led to warFrench – Ohio River Valley– Mississippi River

Valley– Great Lakes Region, Louisiana founded by La Salle- Ohio River Valley to Rocky Mountains- called New France

Fur Traders created economic and military alliances between Europeans and Indians

Section 3

9 year French and Indian War- feared losing rivers that were linked to Canada and Lousiana

Washington asked French to leave areaFort Duquesne- now PittsburgFort necessity- Washington was attacked and retreated

back to Virginia Huron Tribe- sided with the French- Great LakesAlbany Plan of Union- 1st formal plan to unite the

coloniesIt was rejected because colonies did not want to give up

own affairsFrench and Indian attacked Genreal Braddock and 2,100

soldiers

William Pitt- determined to win war in the colonies

Pitt sent hest Generals to America and borrowed the money to pay troops- controlled 6 French Forts – Including Fort Duquesne which was renamed Fort Pitt

Quebec- general Wolfe tool troops up a cliff to capture Fort Quebec

Battle of Quebec: Turning Point of the war and Montreal fell the next year. All Canada was in British hands

Spain made a pact to aid French but it was too late

Treaty of Paris- Ended nearly all French control of North America- expanded England control

Pontiac’s Rebellion- attacked British Forts west of Appalachian Mountains

Killing Native Americans – who had not attacked them

Lenni Lenape- war leaders to talk and gave them blankets infected with small pox

Proclamation of 1763- Forbade colonists from settling west of Appalachian Mountains

French and Indian War gave 13 colonies first taste of unity when fighting a common enemy

Colonial World