Colonial Life1607-1700

Chapter 4

I Can…..Differentiate between the experiences of

Europeans, American Indians, and Africans during the colonial time period.

Unhealthy Chesapeake

Unhealthy Chesapeake Area plagued by malaria, typhoid, dysenteryMost early settlers died youngArea repopulated through continuous

immigrationMen far outnumbered womenImmunity to disease increased with later

generationsVirginia would go on to become the most

populous of all the 13 colonies

TobaccoTobacco became the main cash crop for the

Chesapeake regionAfter a few years, tobacco ruins the soil, forcing

farmers to move to fresh landMillions of pounds were exported to Europe each

yearTobacco became so profitable that more labor

was neededBecause of early diseases, natural procreation

was slow in ChesapeakeOther labor sources were needed

Tobacco

Labor Needs- American Indians (AI) died from European

diseases- Indentured servants were poor Europeans

that desired passage to the new world- IS often signed contracts promising to work

for a wealthy landowner for 5 to 7 years.- If they survived, they were given freedom. An

early custom was also to give them land, but this became increasingly rare.

Head-right SystemVirginia and Maryland used the head-right

system.Anyone that paid the passage of an IS was

awarded 50 acres of land as incentive to build the population.

Through the head-right system, the rich accumulated more, and more land.

This also accounted for the eventual high population of Virginia; 100,000 IS were brought from Europe by 1700.

Bacon’s RebellionAs the number of former IS increased, they

found it difficult to find suitable land.The wealthy planters often kept these poor

whites from voting in the House of Burgesses.Many poor whites moved closer to the

interior of Virginia, and soon the clashed with the AIs

1676: Nathaniel Bacon lead an uprising of former IS against the colonial capitol of Williamsburg.

The rebellion was eventually crushed, but the wealthy had learned an important lesson.

Significance of Bacon’s RebellionFirst major class

conflict (poor v. rich) in colonies

Lead to a decrease in use of IS

Lead to an increase in use of African slaves

Slavery1619: 1st African slaves arrive in 13 coloniesMost slaves shipped from Africa were sent to

Spanish, French, and English colonies in South America and Caribbean.

In total, 400,000 arrived in what would become USASlaves were expensive, and if they died a huge

investment was lost.The legal status of slaves was not well defined in the

early colonial era, and some gained their freedom.Overtime, laws were passed that defined the racial

tones associated with slavery.

Middle Passage

Africans in AmericaIn South Carolina, rice was the major cash

cropRice had been cultivated in Africa, and the

knowledge of slaves aided their owners.Rice plantations became harsh environments,

with lots of physical labor needed.In Virginia, tobacco was less physically

demanding. Many Africans had natural immunity to tropical diseases that plagued the Europeans.

Natural procreation of slaves soon made importation less needed.

African InfluencesRice cultivationPeanutsOkraMusicReligion

From Many Cultures to OneAfrican slaves came from a variety of West

African culturesSlaves were taken from a variety of tribes

and clans that spoke a diverse array of languages

Slaves also had a variety of religious beliefs, including Islam

Overtime, slave culture homogenized and most slaves converted to Christianity

Many slaves looked to the story of Moses leading the Hebrews to freedom as inspiration

SlaveryNot all slaves worked in agricultureSome were trained to be skilled artisans

(bricklayers, tanners, carpenters)slaves often tried to escape1712: Rebellion in NY leads to 12 dead

whites and 21 African Americans (AA)1739: Stono Rebellion in SCStill, no slave uprising was as large as

Bacon’s Rebellion

Southern SocietyAs slavery spread, so did the gap between rich

and poor.Planters owned lots of land, and lots of slaves

They also dominated the political sphereBelow planters were the small farmers

Owned some land and possibly a few slavesLandless whites had little power, and depended

upon the upper classes for income through jobsIndentured servants, slaves, and AIs comprised

the rest of society.

Geography of SouthFew citiesCharleston, SC largest seaportMost colonists lived within 50 miles of coastGreat plantations were often separated by

many milesSouth much more isolated than north

New England Family Life

New England did not suffer the health concerns of the south

In fact, the average life expectancy of Northern colonists exceeded that of Europeans

Most of population was comprised of Puritan families that immigrated

Women averaged 10 pregnancies; their lives revolved around children

Northern women that owned property were forced to give the property to their husbands (South kept it separate)

Midwifery: only profession dominated by women.

Puritan ValuesDivorce rareChurch often forced

divorced couples back together

What was the “scarlet letter”?

Morals lead many to avoid owning slaves

Northern GeographyComprised of small

townsBordered by AI

(Iroquois) and French (Canada)

Farms not as large as south, closer together

Towns planned by proprietors; homes surrounded by meeting house and village green

Many towns had a school to teach literacy of the Bible

1636: Harvard U founded to teach Puritan preachers (William and Mary 1st in South 1693)

Colonial PoliticsNorth had town

meetings (Mayflower Compact!)Direct democracyLocal men had voteOnly church members

originally allowed to vote

Thomas Jefferson on town meetings, “best school of political liberty”

South had state assemblies (House of Burgesses)Land owners

allowed to elect members

Dominated by wealthy elite

House of Burgesses

Half-Way CovenantWith church membership dwindling in the

late 1600s, Puritans introduce the “half-way covenant”

Children of existing members could be baptized, but not accept communion

Diluted spiritual purity, yet enabled church to stay relevant and widened membership

Salem Witch TrialsAs new comers entered New England, the

Puritans feared a loss of identityWitch trials were common in Europe, and in

1692 it spread to Massachusetts20 women were executed for “witchcraft”Hysteria ended after the governor’s wife was

accused; he outlawed such trials soon afterDemonstrate the fear of outsiders and

waning religious zeal

Salem Witch Trials

New England Way of LifeRocky soil not great for farmingNot as ethnically diverse as southLittle slaveryPuritans disagreed with AI practice of living

off and sharing land; preferred to “improve” land by clearing it

Plenty of livestock in the newly cleared pastures

Industries: logging, shipbuilding, fishing, and whaling

Colonial IdealsIdeals of self-reliance and resourcefulness

permeate US society todayLife revolved around the seasonsDusk till dawn workdayCult of Domesticity: Women cook, clean, raise

kidsMen farmed, cut wood, huntedDespite Bacon’s and Stono Rebellions there was

relatively little separation of classes compared to Europe

Equality and democracy for most whites

Timeline 1607-17001607: Jamestown settled1619: 1st slaves arrive1620: Pilgrims sail on Mayflower1630: Massachusetts founded1636: Harvard founded1662: Half-way Covenant established1676: Bacon’s Rebellion1692: Salem Witch Trials