Settling the Backcountry

1
Settling the Backcountry

• Extended through the western part of most
  colonies
• Dense forests
• Rushing streams
• Appalachian Mountains
• Clashes with Native Americans over trade and land
• Colonists resented government control

2
What were the Scots-Irish like?

• Most settlers in backcountry had been forced west
• Troubled region/history
• Hostile environment gave SI survival skills that
  were useful in the Backcountry
• Suffered drought, rent increases, and persecution
  by Church
• Clans banded together and were extremely
  protective

3
What did the Scots-Irish Bring?

• Unique culture
• American Country Music and Bluegrass
• Track and Field sports events
• Democracy and freedom
• Loyalty and Warrior ethic influenced military

4
Colonial Life
Women Men
Cooked, churned butter, made soap, candles, and clothes Worked outside
Tended the garden Planted, raised, and harvested crops
Looked after farm animals Cared for livestock and butchered meat
Ran inns or other businesses Cut trees and chopped wood for fires
A few practiced trades Could vote
Could not vote Could own land
Could not own property without husbands permission Could preach
Money earned by women belonged to husband Practiced trades
5
Life of the Young

• American families were large
• New England- 6 to 8 children
• More children more farm workers
• Age 13- boys became apprentices
• Would receive education, food, clothing, lodging
  in exchange for work
• 4-7 years for free then could work for wages or
  start own business
• Girls learned to sew and other household skills
• Age 13- girls sent away to learn special skills
• Weaving
• Cheese making

6
Education and Literacy

• American Colonies had a higher rate of literacy
  than England
• New England- 80 of white men were literate
• England- 60 of white men were literate
• Middle Colonies- 65
• Southern- 50
• Most thought it was more important for men to be
  educated
• ½ as many women were literate in each region
• Illegal to teach enslaved Africans to read
• Eliza Lucas taught enslaved children
• Children were taught to read so that they could
  understand the Bible
• New England had free public schools

7
Africans in New England

• Only few slaves in New England
• 1700- only 2 of the population
• No large plantations
• Slaves
• House Servants
• Cooks
• Gardeners
• Stablehands
• Were hired out to work in shops or warehouses
• Could sometimes keep portion of wages
• Could possibly buy their freedom

8
Africans in New England

• New England had more free blacks than any other
  region
• Merchants, sailors, printers, carpenters, or
  landowners
• Still were not treated as equals

9
African Americans in the Cities

• Economy did not depend on slave labor
• 1750 only 7 of population was enslaved (most
  lived in cities)
• Compared to Southern colonies 40
• New York City was a big part of the slave trade
• Manual laborers
• Servants
• Drivers
• Assistants
• Built roads, houses, and public buildings

10
Racial Tension in New York City

• Lives of Slaves were harsh
• Fears of slave revolt increased
• 1712- group of slaves rebelled
• Burned several buildings
• Slaves faced defeat, torture, and death
• Did not prevent further rebellions
• Quakers condemned slavery
• Said it was immoral and against Christian
  principles
• Worked to prevent the slave trade from entering
  Pennsylvania

11
The Search for Cheap Labor
Percentage of Population
What was causing this trend in the Southern
Colonies?
Year
12
Middle Passage
13
Planters Turn to Slavery

• First- tried Native Americans
• Died of diseases
• Escaped into forests
• Turned to African Americans
• By 1750- more than 235,000 living in America
• 68 were in the Southern Colonies
• 40 of the Souths population
• As population increase, more laws arose
• Were checked for passes when traveling
• Living areas were checked for weapons
• Etc

14
Living in Slavery

• 20-25 slaves per overseer
• Worked for 15 hours a day during peak seasons
• Whipped, tortured, and mutilated if not doing
  work well
• Small living areas and very little food
• Kept customs and beliefs alive!
• Music
• Dance
• Stories
• Religion

15
Expansion of Plantations Brings Resistance

• Growing rice required great skill
• African Americans had these skills from certain
  areas in Africa
• Rice grew in lowlands
• Indigo was grown on higher ground
• Introduced by Eliza Lucas

16
The Enslaved Fight Back

• Worked slowly
• Damaged goods
• Deliberately carried out orders in the wrong way
• Pretended not to understand directions

17
The Stono Rebellion

• 1739
• 20 slaves killed planters and marched south
• Chanting Liberty
• Called out for others to join them as they
  marched
• Up to 100 total
• 7 plantations were burned and 20 whites were
  killed
• Fighting broke out
• Many slaves died
• Those captured were executed
• Led to stricter rules on slaves
• Needed permission to leave plantations
• Illegal to meet with free blacks

18
Religious Revival

• Both movements (Great Awakening and
  Enlightenment) offered people ways of changing
  themselves and their world
• The Great Awakening
• Inside emotions were more important than outward
  actions
• Jonathan Edwards promised that everyone could be
  saved- attracted many crowds
• Offered hope for every person
• Many argued about religious practices
• The established church grew weaker

19
Religion and Social Change

• In the South
• The Great Awakening threatened the social system
  by focusing on equality
• African Americans were baptized
• Baptist congregations welcomed African Americans
  and Native Americans
• Allowed slaves to preach and women to speak in
  church
• Other ministers taught Christianity and reading
  to Native Americans and African Americans

20
The Great Awakening

• Helped to develop American identity by
  encouraging a belief in spiritual equality
• Inspired religious debate, which increased
  religious diversity
• Encouraged colonists to challenge authority and
  question religious practices
• It became easier to challenge and question other
  social and political traditions
• Laid the groundwork for the revolt against
  British power

21
The Enlightenment

• Enlightenment emphasized human reason and science
  as the path to knowledge
• Benjamin Franklin was an important figure
• Challenged social practices
• Valued equality and justice
• Began in Europe but soon influenced American
  colonists

22
The Enlightenment

• John Locke
• Challenged the belief that kings had God-given
  powers
• Citizens had the right to change their government
  if it does not protect their natural rights
• Natural Rights
• Life
• Liberty
• Property
• Belief in Progress
• Citizens can improve society and the world
• Optimistic hope for future
• Sparked political debate in colonies
• Began to see British government as a threat to
  their rights and freedoms