01:512:104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Economic Stratification, Age Of Enlightenment, British America
13 May 2018
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Chapter 04 - American Society Transformed, 1720-1770
I. Introduction
After 1720, the American colonies expanded to cover most of the territory
between the Atlantic coast and the Appalachian Mountains. Also, the
population came to include a larger number of non-English people and a
variety of ethnic groups and religious sects.
II. Population Growth and Ethnic Diversity
A. Newcomers from Africa and Europe
About 260,000 Africans arrived on the mainland during the eighteenth century,
making them the largest ethnic or racial group that came to the colonies.
B. Scots-Irish, Germans, and Scots
One of the largest groups of immigrants¾about 150,000¾came from Ireland
and Scotland. They were joined by about 85,000 Germans.
C. Maintaining Ethnic Identities
By 1775, half of the population south of New England was of non-English
stock. Assimilation of these migrants into Anglo-American culture depended
on patterns of settlement, the size of the group, and the strength of the
migrants’ ties to their cultural roots. To retain power, the English elites
sometimes fostered antagonism among ethnic groups. However, in the 1770s
the elites realized they needed the support of non-English Americans in their
rebellion against Great Britain.
III. Economic Growth and Development
A. Overview of the Anglo-American Economy
Large populations made British colonies economically stable while the widely
scattered people of the French and Spanish colonies left them weak and
vulnerable and often dependent on foreign colonies for goods.
B. Growth of Consumption
Generally, the American economy improved, leading to a better standard of
living for many people. Economic stratification, on the other hand, also shaped
social and economic structures.
C. Urban Poverty
New immigrants usually faced fewer opportunities for advancement than had
the earliest arrivals. Although rural poverty remained limited, a poor class did
begin to emerge in urban areas.
D. New England and King George’s War
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King George’s War increased the wealth of some New Englanders, but many
Bostonians suffered economically as a result of the conflict.
E. Prosperity of the Middle Colonies
King George’s War spurred an economic boom in the Middle Colonies.
F. Change in the Chesapeake
During the 1740s, grain crops made important inroads into the tobacco culture
of the Chesapeake, causing a change in settlement patterns.
G. Trade and the Lower South
The Lower South experienced several economic fluctuations.
H. Georgia
Founded in 1732, Georgia served as a haven for debtors and as a garrison
colony to protect England’s southernmost claims on the North American
mainland.
IV. Colonial Cultures
A. Genteel Culture
Well-to-do Americans formed the core of a genteel elite that constructed a
culture different from that of the seventeenth century and from that of ordinary
colonists in the eighteenth century.
B. Education
Men from wealthy families prided themselves on their level of education and
their intellectual connections to Europe.
C. The Enlightenment
In the eighteenth century, Europeans’ fascination with natural law led to an
emphasis on acquiring knowledge through reason. This movement¾known as
the Enlightenment¾ affected American culture and politics, particularly among
the elite.
D. Contract Theory of Government
John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers advanced the theory that
governments were created by men and existed for the good of the people. A
ruler who did not fulfill his contract with the people could be ousted from
power.
E. Oral Cultures
The majority of British Americans could not read, and conversation provided
the primary means of communication. Consequently, the exchange of
information remained slow and restricted.
F. Religious Rituals
Many cultural identities grew out of public rituals, including attendance at
church. These gatherings reinforced local attitudes, mores, and hierarchies.
G. Civic Rituals
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Document Summary
Chapter 04 - american society transformed, 1720-1770: introduction. After 1720, the american colonies expanded to cover most of the territory between the atlantic coast and the appalachian mountains. Also, the population came to include a larger number of non-english people and a variety of ethnic groups and religious sects. Population growth and ethnic diversity: newcomers from africa and europe. About 260,000 africans arrived on the mainland during the eighteenth century, making them the largest ethnic or racial group that came to the colonies: scots-irish, germans, and scots. One of the largest groups of immigrants about 150,000 came from ireland and scotland. They were joined by about 85,000 germans: maintaining ethnic identities. By 1775, half of the population south of new england was of non-english stock. Assimilation of these migrants into anglo-american culture depended on patterns of settlement, the size of the group, and the strength of the migrants" ties to their cultural roots.
