18th Century Colonial Development

HIS 103

Interacting with Indians

Iroquois maximized dwindling power by playing French & English off each other Between 1620s-60s, lost over 90% of population Urgent need for “requickening” caused wars Economic motives introduced due to fur trade Tuscarora added to League by 1722

Southern tribes became “civilized” but still not accepted Adopted English style of dress & farming Cherokee developed written language Played Spanish & English off each other

Population Growth

Population increased tenfold: 1700: 250,000 1775: 2.5 million 75% due to natural increase

Population grew more diverse 25% due to immigration Many Protestant Irish & Germans

came as redemptioners

Economic Growth

Desire for gentility sparked economic transformation in the colonies

Standards of gentility derived from European court life

Need mansions & luxury goods to reinforce social standing since no nobility in colonies

Merchants played lead role in establishing manufacturing & stimulating consumption of imports

Southern elites based on slavery Northern elites based on trade Change to market economy confined to

port cities at first

Atlantic Economy

Based on mercantilism Navigation Act (1660)

Only British ships could carry colonial trade

Cash crops reserved for England alone

Staple Act (1663) Most goods had to be

shipped to England first, then colonies

Government collected customs duties twice

Colonial Export Destinations

The Great Awakening

Jonathan Edwards was the son and grandson of New England Congregational pastors

Revival began in Northampton, Mass. in 1734-35

Began preaching in other churches with similar results

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” – Enfield, Conn., July 8, 1741 Rev. Jonathan Edwards

The Great Awakening

Gilbert Tennant led revival in middle colonies

George Whitefield toured colonies in 1740 Oct. 1740 – preached 97

sermons in 40 towns in 45 days in Mass. & Conn.

Deliberately theatrical Led to split between

“New Lights” & “Old Lights”