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”