Beginnings of
an American
Identity
1689-1763
Early American Culture
 British
culture remained the foundation of all
the colonial societies. But life in the “New
World” was unlike life in the old. Settlers
faced new climates and new living
conditions.
Main Ideas and Details

1.
2.
3.
4.
The Colonies differed from older, European societies.
Cheap farmland and abundant natural resources gave
colonists a chance to prosper. There was less opportunity
in Europe.
American Families were large. New England Families, for
example colonist had about six to eight children. More
children on the farm meant more workers. Even toddlers
were expected to help with the chores.
The Colonies differed from European societies in level of
education.
The American colonies were notable for the diversity of
their population.
Colonial Life

Farming women cooked; churned butter;
made soap, candles, and clothes and did
many chores. They also tended the garden
and looked after farm animals.

Women who lived in towns and cities had
similar chores. However, some urban women
ran inns or other business. A few women,
usually the wives or widows of tradespeople,
practiced trades themselves.
Education and Literacy

The colonies differed from European societies in level of education.

Colonial America had a high rate of literacy.



In New England 85% of white men were literate
65% in the Middle colonies
50% in the South

Only 60% of men in England could read and write

Most colonies thought that it was more important for males to be
educated. Only half of the women in each region were literate.

Educated African Americans were rare
Colonial Literature
 Literacy
helped unite the colonies.
 Colonist
started to publish their own
books.

Benjamin Franklin- published the Poor
Richards Almanac


He Invented the lighting rod
Helped write the Articles of Confederation and
the Declaration of Independence
Religious Revival

The Great Awakening- a Christian religious revival


Offered hope that each person could break from the
past and begin a spiritual relationships with God.
The Enlightenment- a movement stressing human
reason

Was based on reason and scientific observations.

Jonathan Edwards- a preacher who promised that
all could be saved.

George Whitefield- drew thousands of people with
his sermons and raised funds to start a home for
orphans.
The Enlightenment
 John
Locke- challenged the belief that
kings had a God-given right to rule.



Social Contract
Life, Liberty, and Property
What kind of impact do you think John
Locke had on future societies?
Roots of American
Democracy
 Magna
Carta- Charter of English political
civil liberties
 English
Bill of Rights-1689 laws protecting
the rights of English subjects and
Parliament
Kings Limit Self-Government

In the mid-1600s colonies like
Massachusetts were smuggling
goods and ignoring the Navigation
Act.
The people believed England had
no right to make laws for them. In
response, King Charles II canceled
their charter. The Charter had
given the colony the right to self
government.

What is a Royal Colony?


Edmund Andros
Colonies Claim English Rights

After disagreements between the colonists
and the king during the late 1600’s, the
tensions between America and English
government eased.

John Peter Zenger- Stood trial for printing
criticism of New York’s governor.


Andrew Hamilton stood up for Zenger
Freedom of the press became a new important
right.
French and Indian War

The English and the French created rival
empires in North America. The
Competition between these two
European powers often led to war.
 Economic
Competition
Pontiac’s Rebellion

After French Forces withdrew, the British took
over their forts. They refused to give gifts to
the Native Americans, as the French had.

Native American groups responded by
attacking settlers and destroyed almost every
British for west of the Appalachians.

British responded by Killing Native Americans.
The End of the War?
 Treaty
of Paris 1763 - The treaty ended
nearly all French control on the North
America and dramatically expanded
Britain's colonial empire.
 Proclamation
of 1763- Forbade colonist
from settling west of the Appalachian
Mountains.