Download Chapter 5 The American Colonies

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Agriculture was the leading industry in the colonies.
The colonies had a rapidly growing population that
was doubling every 25 years.
90% of the American population lived in rural areas.
The standard of living was high in the colonies
compared to the rest of the world.
In the South there was a pretty severe class system.
 Large land owners
 Small land owners
 Landless former indentured servants
 Indentured servants
 Slaves
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There were very few large cities in the South.
The economy of the South revolved around large
single crop plantations.
Disease was rampant in the South. Men working in
the fields died younger than women which created a
society where women, often widowed, had more
power than elsewhere.
The economy relied on large amounts of indentured
servants and African slaves
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Society in the North was more religious as evidenced
by the Puritan dominated Massachusetts Bay
Colony.
New England was a more family based society.
The North did not rely on a single crop because the
rocky soil and climate did not lend itself to large
single crop plantations. Small family farms with
diverse crops was the norm.
The economy of the North was more diverse. They
were experts in shipbuilding, fishing and commerce
(trade). More professional occupations (doctors,
lawyers, businessmen).
Slavery was not profitable in the North.
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Known as the Bread colonies for their production of
wheat and grain.
Economically diversified because of rich soil for
large scale agriculture and good ports for shipping
industries.
More freedom of religion in these colonies made
them the most ethnically diverse region in the
American colonies
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Americans were less religious in the 18th century
than they had been a century before.
The Great Awakening swept through the colonies in
the 1730’s and 1740’s. It began in Massachusetts and
was led by George Whitefield and Jonathon
Edwards.
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Great orator who held revival meetings throughout
the colonies. His preaching was emotional and
brought people to tears and to God.
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said that people could not get to heaven through
good works alone but needed to depend on God’s
grace.
most famous sermon called
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
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As a result of the Great Awakening the number
of churches increased and missionary work
exploded.
It led to the founding of higher learning
colleges like Princeton, Brown, and Dartmouth.
It broke down sectional boundaries and
denominational lines.