Foundations of Conflict Between England and the Colonies

First Great Awakening, Enlightenment and Salutary Neglect

African women helped raise cash crops such as tobacco and indigo.

White women were farm wives who helped around the house and made products their families needed.

Women did not have many rights. Women could not vote. In most churches, they could not preach or hold office. (Quaker meetings were an exception.)

Women and the Economy

Most families had six to eight children. Most children were expected to start working by 4 years old.

Boys were taught a craft at 6 years old. Girls learned sewing, weaving, and cheese making.

Young People at Work

Most children were taught to read so they could read the bible. School was completed at age 7.

Colonial Schooling

Region % that could read

New England Colonies 85%

Middle Colonies 60%

Southern Colonies 50%

Literacy Rates (Ability to read)

Why do you think more people could read (literate) in New England compared to the Southern Colonies?

Turn and Talk

Religion was more central and important to the New England colonies, so the ability to read so one could read the Bible was stressed more.

Turn and Talk Answer

Beginning in the 1730s , many colonists had lost their religious passion. A religious movement called the “The Great Awakening” reenergized colonists religious zeal and spirit.

To reinvigorate colonists’ religious spirit, preachers traveled from town to town holding outdoor “revival” meetings.

Preachers such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield held fiery sermons that warned colonists of God’s wrath, anger and the possibility of Hell if they did not revive their devotion and commitment to God.

T he Great Awakening

Some churches began to invite African Americans and Native American to their services. Their attendance made some colonists begin to think about equality.

Churches began helping communities. Orphanages were opened. People were donating time and money to help. People were willing to fight for what they thought was wrong.

Church and Equality

The Great Awakening encouraged ideas of liberty, equality, and fighting for moral principles which would all provide foundations for ideas reflected in the American Revolution.

Ideas of the Great Awakening

Unlike the Great Awakening, which stressed religious emotion, the Enlightenment emphasized reason, logic, and science as the paths to knowledge. The Enlightenment challenged religion and tradition, especially the rulers’ divine right to govern.

The Enlightenment began in Europe, as scientists discovered natural laws governing the universe like the Law of Gravity.

The Enlightenment

John Locke argued that people have natural rights.

Natural rights are rights humans have just by existing. These are rights to life, liberty, and property.

2 ideas:1. Governments only exists to protect the people. If they fail, the government can be destroyed.

2. Kings are not given power by God to rule.

Enlightenment Politics

Salutary NeglectFrom 1607-1763 England

established a period of salutary neglect with the thirteen colonies

Salutary neglect was the period of time when England essentially left the colonies alone to take care of themselves. England hardly enforced any economic or political control over the colonies during this time.

The period of salutary neglect ended in 1763 with the end of the French and Indian War.

Turn and TalkWhat changed in the relationship between England and the colonies after the French and Indian war?

Turn and Talk AnswerEngland amassed a huge war debt from

defending the colonies in the French and Indian War. To pay down the debt, England would need to exercise more political and especially economic control over the colonies.

Turn and Talk Question How do you think the colonists are going to

react to England taking a more active role in their economic activities and governance?

Turn and Talk AnswerColonists were angry about England’s

increased authority.

The Enlightenment Great Awakening

People John LockeBenjamin Franklin

Jonathan Edwards

Religion Emphasizes science and logic to explain the world.

God will punish you unless you try to be good.

Government Kings do not have power from god

Challenge any authority if it does not represent goodness

Results Overthrow a government if it violates people’s natural rights.

Inspired equality

The Enlightenment Vs. Great Awakening