THE AMERICAN IDENTITY

Land ownership in the colonies was the means to wealth. Wealth, in turn, determined social standing.

Most colonists were in the middle ranks. The wealthiest people were in the highest ranks.

Owning land brought political power by giving men the right to vote.

Land, Rights, and Wealth

Women and the EconomyMost women were farm wives who cooked, churned butter, made soap and candles, spun fibers, wove cloth, sewed and knitted clothes, and other things.

They often tended a garden and looked after farm animals.

At harvest time, they worked in the fields with the men and older children.

Young People at Work

Large families were common, because more children meant more workers.

Many boys became apprentices, meaning that they learned a trade by working with an experienced craftsman.

Girls learned sewing and other household skills from their mothers.

Upon turning 13 or 14, girls would sometimes be sent away to other households to learn specialized skills, such as weaving or cheese making.

EducationColonial schooling emphasized religion. Most Children learned at home while some attended small schools

Between 50 and 85 percent of colonial men were literate, and about half as many white women were. (Literate means they were able to read.)

Colonies started newpapers in the 1700’s and in 1732, Ben Franklin began to publish Poor Richard’s Almanack. It contained sayings that are still repeated today, such as, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Most African Americans could not read, and slaves were forbidden an education.

The Great Awakening• 1730’s – 1740’s in the colonies

• The Great Awaking a religious movement that encouraged…• Religious debate Charity• Equality Education, new

colleges• Independence!!!!!

• ministers preached that inner religious feelings were more important than outward behavior.

• best-known preachers • Jonathan Edwards – terrified listeners with images of God’s anger

but promised they could be saved• George Whitefield – drew thousands to his sermons and raised

money to start a home for orphans

The Great Awakening stirred up ideas of equality and the right to challenge authority.

(This movement added to the revolutionary passion of the colonists when they declared independence from England years later!)

• “Enlightenment” refers to the belief that people were “leaving behind the dark ignorance and blind belief that characterized the past.”

• Emphasized reason and science as the paths to knowledge.

• Began in Europe, as scientists learned about natural laws, such as gravity, that controlled the universe.

The Enlightenment1660’s-1770’s

John Locke

The EnlightenmentEnlightenment thinkers applied the idea of natural law to human societies.

The English philosopherJohn Locke argued:

-that people have natural rights (like life, liberty, and property)

-that governments are created to protect these rights.

-Locke argued against the idea that kings had a God-given right to rule.

Other Famous thinkers: Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson.

People have the right to

LIFE, LIBERTY, and

PROPERTY!

Magna Carta

• 1215• Magna Carta guaranteed rights to

noblemen and freemen in exchange for the king using their money for war.

• Limits the kings power

Glorious Revolution

• Parliament decides to overthrow King James for not respecting their rights

• King James flees the country

• William and Mary take over the throne

English Bill of Rights

• Agreement made by William and Mary to respect the rights of the people and Parliament

• King could not cancel or impose taxes without Parliament’s approval

• Free elections and frequent meetings of Parliament

• No excessive or cruel punishment• People could complain to throne without being

arrested

Colonial Rule

• Could once again elect representatives• Governor was still appointed by king• Colonies paid the governor so if he was

cruel to them, he would not get paid• England interfered very little with the

colonies, this is known as salutary neglect

Rules of Government

• Self -Government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government

• Rule of Law: the idea that all people must follow the laws, and that the laws are enforced fairly

• Due Process: People have the right to fair and reasonable laws. Officials have to follow rules when enforcing the laws and treat all people in the same way.

• Rights: A set of things that people believe they should be free to do without restrictions

• Limited Government: the power of government is limited by the Constitution, and each branch is limited in what it can do

Summary

The colonial economy, education, publishing, and religion played a part in creating a new American cultural identity for the colonists.

Instead of seeing themselves as individual colonies whose only loyalty was to the British crown, this unique group of people began to unite in their ideas and in their way of life!The People became AMERICANS!!!