American Colonies by 1763
History AS - Unit 2
How Were Colonies Governed?
Salutary Neglect
- British realised in the 18th Century that it was best not to stir up trouble within colonies (too far away)
- left them greatly to their own devices; no central committees to run the colonies
- otherwise - potential strain on relationship; different opinions on how to be ruled
- improved relationship/reduced conflict
Mercantilism
- mother country is made self-sufficient
- all raw materials pass through England; control through trade
- Navigation Acts - controlled shipping across the British Empire - any ship trading with English colonies must be from the Empire
- developed in 16th Century; Britain were the most passionate believers of it:
- all colonies must trade solely with the mother country and buy it's finished products e.g. £4 per tonne of wood --> through trade --> 400 chairs - £10 per chair
- 1660 - British passed Navigation Acts - all colonies could only trade with British/colonial ships - most products were transported back to Britain, list of products grew: Woolen Act (1699), Hat Act (1732), Molasses Act (1733), Iron Act (1750)
- British put limits on factories that were allowed in the colonies and how much they could produce - provided them with a market BUT became very expensive + difficult - not wholly successful
COLONIAL SOCIETY - Hierarchy
Elite
landowners, merchants etc
- mimicked behaviour/social values of English aristocracy
- built extravagant houses, gambled, educated sons + had portraits painted
- 1770: richest 1% owned 15% America's wealth
- lacked titles, privileges, possessions etc
Professionals
ministers, lawyers, doctors etc
- achieved status with hard-work/good fortune - often held positions of public responsibility
Farmers
50% of free American males
- usually owned between 50 - 500 acres of land
- aimed to support families + guarantee future for their children
Artisans
townspeople
- 2/3 were self-employed craftsmen
Property-Less
laboured for others
- diverse group
- 30% land farmed was rented (not owned) by tenants
- only 1/5 adult white males were land-less labourers
Slaves
black slaves from Africa
- over 90% existed in the south
- could be bought/sold
- worked as domestic servants OR on plantations (tobacco, rice etc)
- quality of life varied e.g. house servant in NYC vs. slave in rural area
AMERICAN CULTURE
Families
- head of family: white male --> in charge/responsible for everyone within the household (including servants)
- Hierarchical:
father (male)
mother (female)
children
servants
BLACKS
- similar to Europe - less-strict way of life; encouraged young people to leave home (easy access to land) --> start new life - lessened chances of fatherly control over marriage
- women - denied political/civil rights - no legal right to property
Education
- strongly encouraged, especially in New England; residents there were particularly literate
- population outnumbered availability;
60% of English
- women/black slaves - unimportant
- increasing booksellers/over 30 newspapers
- Harvard College - founded in Boston 1636; 8 others elsewhere
Religion
- church membership - very common (especially in New England)
- majority of Americans were protestants - shaped their lives
- no dominant religion within colonies
- variation of denominations
- most of America: anti-catholic
The Great Awakening
- religious rivals went through colonies in 2 decades from 1720s
- preachers like William Tennent tried to convert people
- sparked democratic spirit by implying all were equal + could find a path to God regardless of social status
- led to controversy and division