Settling the Backcountry

Extended through the western part of most colonies

Dense forests Rushing streams Appalachian Mountains Clashes with Native Americans over

trade and land Colonists resented government control

What were the Scots-Irish like?

Most settlers in backcountry had been forced westTroubled region/historyHostile environment gave SI survival skills that were useful in the BackcountrySuffered drought, rent increases, and persecution by ChurchClans banded together and were extremely protective

What did the Scots-Irish Bring?Unique cultureAmerican Country Music and BluegrassTrack and Field sports eventsDemocracy and freedomLoyalty and Warrior ethic influenced

military

Colonial Life

Women MenCooked, churned butter, made soap, candles, and clothes

Worked outside

Tended the garden Planted, raised, and harvested crops

Looked after farm animals Cared for livestock and butchered meat

Ran inns or other businesses Cut trees and chopped wood for fires

A few practiced trades Could vote

Could not vote Could own land

Could not own property without husband’s permission

Could preach

Money earned by women belonged to husband

Practiced trades

Life of the Young American families were large New England- 6 to 8 children More children = more farm workers Age 13- boys became apprentices

Would receive education, food, clothing, lodging in exchange for work

4-7 years for free then could work for wages or start own business

Girls learned to sew and other household skills Age 13- girls sent away to learn special skills

Weaving Cheese making

Education and Literacy American Colonies had a higher rate of literacy than

England New England- 80% of white men were literate England- 60% of white men were literate Middle Colonies- 65% Southern- 50%

Most thought it was more important for men to be educated ½ as many women were literate in each region Illegal to teach enslaved Africans to read

Eliza Lucas taught enslaved children Children were taught to read so that they could understand

the Bible New England had free public schools

Africans in New EnglandOnly few slaves in New England1700- only 2% of the populationNo large plantationsSlaves

House Servants Cooks Gardeners Stablehands Were hired out to work in shops or warehouses

Could sometimes keep portion of wages Could possibly buy their freedom

Africans in New EnglandNew England had more free blacks

than any other regionMerchants, sailors, printers,

carpenters, or landownersStill were not treated as equals

African Americans in the CitiesEconomy did not depend on slave labor1750 only 7% of population was enslaved (most lived in cities) Compared to Southern colonies 40%

New York City was a big part of the slave trade Manual laborers Servants Drivers Assistants Built roads, houses, and public buildings

Racial Tension in New York CityLives of Slaves were harshFears of slave revolt increased1712- group of slaves rebelled

Burned several buildings Slaves faced defeat, torture, and death Did not prevent further rebellions

Quakers condemned slavery Said it was immoral and against

Christian principles Worked to prevent the slave trade from

entering Pennsylvania

The Search for Cheap Labor

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1650 1670 1690 1710 1730 1750

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New E ng landand Middle

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What was causing this trend in the Southern Colonies?

Middle Passage

Planters Turn to Slavery First- tried Native Americans

Died of diseases Escaped into forests

Turned to African Americans By 1750- more than 235,000 living in America 68% were in the Southern Colonies 40% of the South’s population As population increase, more laws arose

Were checked for passes when traveling Living areas were checked for weapons Etc

Living in Slavery 20-25 slaves per overseer Worked for 15 hours a day during peak

seasons Whipped, tortured, and mutilated if not doing

work well Small living areas and very little food Kept customs and beliefs alive!

Music Dance Stories Religion

Expansion of Plantations Brings Resistance

Growing rice required great skill African Americans had these skills from

certain areas in AfricaRice grew in lowlands Indigo was grown on higher ground

Introduced by Eliza Lucas

The Enslaved Fight BackWorked slowlyDamaged goodsDeliberately carried out orders in the

wrong wayPretended not to understand directions

The Stono Rebellion

1739 20 slaves killed planters and marched south Chanting “Liberty” Called out for others to join them as they marched Up to 100 total 7 plantations were burned and 20 whites were killed Fighting broke out

Many slaves died Those captured were executed

Led to stricter rules on slaves Needed permission to leave plantations Illegal to meet with free blacks

Religious Revival

Both movements (Great Awakening and Enlightenment) offered people ways of changing themselves and their world

The Great Awakening Inside emotions were more important than outward

actions Jonathan Edwards promised that everyone could be

saved- attracted many crowds Offered hope for every person Many argued about religious practices The established church grew weaker

Religion and Social Change In the South…

The Great Awakening threatened the social system by focusing on equality

African Americans were baptized Baptist congregations welcomed African

Americans and Native Americans Allowed slaves to preach and women to speak in

church Other ministers taught Christianity and reading to

Native Americans and African Americans

The Great Awakening Helped to develop American identity

by encouraging a belief in spiritual equality Inspired religious debate, which increased

religious diversity Encouraged colonists to challenge

authority and question religious practices It became easier to challenge and question

other social and political traditions Laid the groundwork for the revolt against

British power

The Enlightenment Enlightenment emphasized human reason

and science as the path to knowledge Benjamin Franklin was an important figure Challenged social practices Valued equality and justice Began in Europe but soon influenced

American colonists

The Enlightenment

John Locke Challenged the belief that kings had God-given powers Citizens had the right to change their government if it

does not protect their natural rights Natural Rights

Life Liberty Property

Belief in Progress Citizens can improve society and the world Optimistic hope for future

Sparked political debate in colonies Began to see British government as a threat to their

rights and freedoms