Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution
1720-1763
As a result of the rapid population growth in colonial
America during the eighteenth century
A. a momentous shift occurred in the balance of power
between the colonies and the mother country.
B. the British government was pleased that more workers
would be available to fill an increasing need for laborers in
Britain.
C. the need for slave labor declined.
D. the colonists became more dependent on Britain for the
goods that they needed to survive.
E. the British government granted greater autonomy to
colonial governments.
KNOW YOUR REGIONS
• New England
(Northern: Mass, RI,
Conn., New Ham.
• Middle: Penn, NY, NJ,
Delaware.
• South: Virginia,
Maryland, North Car.,
South Car., Georgia
The
Chesapeake
(Virginia and
Maryland)
Outline of our Discussion:
 Chapter 3-4 (1730-1776)
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Review: Where did the colonies come from?
New Ethnicities Bring New Issues
Social Class in the New World
The Great Awakening: Religion in the 18th Century
Education in the Colonies
Culture and Folkways
The Press and Politics
France and New France
The French and Indian War
Uh Oh… Americans become Restless…
Growth of America?
Jamestown & Plymouth?
1607-1700
Growth of the colonies to
1776?
POP QUESTION: The population growth of the
American colonies by 1775 is attributed
mostly to
A. white immigration from Europe.
B. the natural fertility of Native Americans.
C. the importation of slaves from Africa.
D. the influx of immigrants from Latin America.
E. the natural fertility of all Americans.
A Little Review to Help the Brain
 Remember the Colonies:
I. New England
▪ Religious : Intolerant and
Puritanical (leading to
Congregational)
▪ Political: Town Meetings,
Majority Rule, Mayflower
Compact
▪ Economic: Diversification,
shipping, lumber, fish,
subsistence ag.
A Little Review to Help the Brain
 Remember the Colonies:
II. Middle Colonies:
▪ Religious: Diversity,
toleration, Quaker Haven
▪ Political: Representative
Assemblies
▪ Economic: Rich soil
produced grain, shipping
and commercial centers in
the cities
A Little Review to Help the Brain
 Remember the Colonies:
III. Southern Colonies:
▪ Religious: Anglican
Church
▪ Political: Ruled by
Aristocratic Elite
(Slavocracy)
▪ Economic: Focused on
Cash Crops (Tobacco,
Rice, Indigo)
POP QUESTION: When several colonial legislatures attempted
to restrict or halt the importation of slaves, British authorities
A. applauded the efforts.
B. vetoed such efforts.
C. allowed only South Carolina's legislation to
stand.
D. viewed such colonial actions as morally
callous.
E. did nothing.
POP QUESTION: The average age of
the American colonists in 1775 was
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
30.
27.
25.
20.
16.
By 1775 Africans
were the largest
non-English
ethnic group in
colonial America
South
Carolina
IMMIGRANTS AND ETHNICITIES
CHANGES 1700 TO 1763
Immigrants and Ethnicities
• Talking about VOLUNTARY
Immigrants (not involuntary slaves)
• Reasons for Immigration:
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Chance to own land (do they?)
Greater social mobility (always?)
Religious freedom (everywhere?)
Lower taxes & Material Goods
Better diet (MORE MEAT!)
POP QUESTION: An armed march in Philadelphia in 1764, protesting
the Quaker oligarchy's lenient policy toward the Indians was
known as
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Bacon's Rebellion.
March of the Paxton Boys.
Regulator Movement.
Shays' Rebellion.
Oligarchy Revolution.
Stono Rebellion
Immigrant Groups
 Immigration also
contributed to
population growth in
the 18th century.
 English and Welsh
were still important,
but other European
groups arrive (Esp.
the Middle Colonies)
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