Chapter 5

The rebellious American colonies experienced rapid population growth. In 1700, they had fewer than 300,000 people, including 20,000 black individuals. By 1775, the population had reached 2.5 million, with about half a million being black. The increase resulted from both white immigration and the natural fertility of the American people, doubling their numbers every twenty-five years.

This population boom had significant political consequences, as the English advantage in numbers decreased from twenty to one in 1700 to three to one in 1775, shifting the balance of power between the colonies and Britain. The majority of the population lived east of the Alleghenies, with Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Maryland being the most populous colonies. Only four communities were considered cities, with about 90 percent of the people residing in rural areas.

Colonial America was a melting pot of diverse immigrant groups, with the English forming the majority population. Around 6 percent of the total population, approximately 150,000 people by 1775, were German immigrants who settled mainly in Pennsylvania, belonging to various Protestant sects, primarily Lutheran. The Scots-Irish, numbering about 175,000 in 1775, were an important non-English group, originally from Scotland but transplanted to Northern Ireland, and later moving to the frontier regions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas.

The South held about 90 percent of the slaves, while New England displayed the least ethnic diversity with mostly Puritan migrants. The middle colonies, especially Pennsylvania, had the most variety of peoples, with about half of their population being non-English in 1775. Even among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 18 were non-English and 8 were not born in the colonies.

Eighteenth-century America offered equality and opportunity for most, except for the glaring exception of slavery. No titled nobility dominated society, and the majority of white Americans were small farmers.

However, signs of social stratification were emerging as merchant elites accumulated wealth, and the power of great planters in the South was bolstered by slave ownership. The lower classes swelled with indentured servants, paupers, and convicts, while black slaves lived in oppression with no hope of social advancement, leading to fears of rebellion among the white colonists.

During colonial times, the most honored profession was the clergy, which still held considerable authority in 1775, although not as much as during the "Bible Commonwealth" era.

Physicians, on the other hand, were not highly esteemed, and medical practices were often archaic, including the harmful practice of bleeding. Plagues, such as smallpox, were rampant, but a crude form of inoculation was introduced in 1721, which some clergy and doctors opposed due to religious beliefs.

Initially disliked, lawyers gained recognition and importance by 1750, representing high-profile cases, becoming great orators, and playing significant roles in American history.

Agriculture dominated the colonial industry, with farmers excelling in crop growth. Maryland and Virginia focused on tobacco, while New York exported large quantities of flour.

Fishing was profitable, especially in New England, and trade thrived across the colonies, with the "triangular trade" being common.

Manufacturing was less significant (England wanted to keep the Manufacturing for themselves with America just being the suppliers of the raw materials), with lumbering being one of the most important activities.

The Molasses Act of 1733 caused anger among the colonists as it aimed to hinder American trade with the French West Indies (to improve Britain's mercantilism), leading to smuggling to circumvent the act.

In the 1700s, roads in America were in poor condition and mainly connected large cities. Traveling from one city to another, like from Boston to Philadelphia, could take several days -- it took Benjamin Franklin 9 days to get between Boston and Philadelphia.

The dangerous roads led people to make preparations for their journeys, including signing wills and praying with family members before setting off. As a result, towns were often situated near navigable water sources for easier transportation.

Taverns and bars became essential for weary travelers, serving as places for news and gossip. Additionally, while an inter-colonial mail system was established, mailmen would often read private letters due to the lack of other activities during their journeys.

By 1775, the two established (tax supported) churches in colonial America were the Anglican and the Congregational churches. However, most people did not worship in churches as they were not near one (especially in the South).

The Church of England (Anglican Church) was the official church in several colonies, and Anglican sermons were shorter, and their descriptions of hell were less frightening, making it less strict than the Congregational church.

To address the shortage of ordained ministers, William and Mary College (still exists today) was founded in 1693 to train young clergy members.

The Congregational church, derived from the Puritan church, was established in all New England colonies except Rhode Island, and there were concerns by the late 1600s about people's lack of devoutness.

Due to a decline in religious fervor and concerns about salvation, the stage was set for a revival, known as the First Great Awakening.

Jonathan Edwards, a preacher with fiery methods, emotionally moved many listeners with his talks of eternal damnation for nonbelievers. His famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," used vivid metaphors to illustrate the consequences of sin.

George Whitefield, an orator of rare gifts, was even more persuasive, leading to the founding of "new light" centers like Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth.

The Great Awakening was the first religious experience shared by all Americans as a group and led to debates with orthodox clergymen, known as the "old lights."

Education held great importance in New England, particularly for training future clergymen. In other parts of America, however, farm labor often took precedence over schooling, leading to limited opportunities for education.

While there were adequate primary and secondary schools outside of New England, only well-to-do children could afford to attend. Colonial schools heavily emphasized religion, classical languages, doctrine, and orthodoxy, with discipline being severe at times.

In colonial America, there was little time for recreation, and art was frowned upon. Painters like John Trumbull and Charles Willson Peale faced discouragement but pursued their craft.

Architecture was mostly imported and modified to suit American needs, with the log cabin borrowed from Sweden and the Georgian style introduced around 1720.

Colonial literature was generally undistinguished, but Phillis Wheatley, a slave girl, published a book of verse in Britain. Additionally, Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack was influential and widely read in America and Europe.

Early America had few libraries, and books were a luxury for the wealthy. On the eve of the revolution, hand-operated presses produced leaflets, pamphlets, and journals signed with pseudonyms (probably the most famous being Common Sense by Tom Paine).

Furthermore, in a significant case about press freedom, John Peter Zenger, a New York newspaper printer, was charged with seditious libel. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, successfully defended him, establishing a crucial victory for freedom of the press.

By 1775, eight colonies had royal governors appointed by the king, while three had governors chosen by proprietors.

Most colonies had a two-house legislative body, with the upper house appointed by royal officials or proprietors, and the lower house elected by the people.

Self-taxation with representation became a cherished privilege for Americans.

While most governors performed well, some, like Lord Cornbury, were corrupt and incompetent.

The right to vote was restricted to white male landowners, but the ease of acquiring land made voting accessible to many in this group.

In colonial America, basic amenities were lacking --- churches were unheated, there was no running water or plumbing at home, no garbage disposal.

Instead, people found enjoyment in the social life with card playing, horse racing, lotteries, stage plays, fox hunting and holidays being popular.

Despite their differences, the colonies were slowly unifying, coming together despite their different beginnings.