Transcript Eighteenth Century Colonial America

Eighteenth Century Colonial
America
Diversity
• Colonial population 2,640,000
– 48% English (Anglican, Puritan, Catholic, Protestant)
– 20% African
– 11% Scotch-Irish (Northern) Protestant
– 8% German (Menonite, Lutheran)
– 5% Dutch (Reformed, other Protestant)
– 3% Irish (Southern) Catholic
– 5% Others (Quakers, Jews, others)
Rapid Growth
• By the end of the 17th century, the colonies were
growing exponentially.
• In New England where attendance of church was
mandatory, a desperate need for clergy arose:
– Harvard established 1636
– Yale established 1701
– to train Congregationalist clergy (Puritan) to fill the
pulpits as churches popped up everywhere
Diversity
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749 Congregational churches (Puritan)
485 Presbyterian churches
457 Baptist churches
406 Anglican churches
338 Dutch/German Reformed churches
240 Lutheran churches
200 Quaker meeting houses
56 Catholic churches
5 Synagogues
The Royal Colonies
• Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey,
Maryland
• Governors desired to please the crown
• Decidedly Anglican and often persecuted other
religions different from their own
– On pain of fines, jail and whipping, colonists were required to
attend the “established” Anglican Church and pay taxes to
support the same
– Preachers of other denominations risked jailing and torture
• Anglican influence declined toward the south as the
clergy preferred the more affluent areas of Virginia and
New Jersey to the diseased and insect infested
southern colonies.
Rationalism
• With the “Enlightenment” sweeping through Europe and
Great Britain
• 1740’s Christian rationalism began to influence the colonies
with critical and empirical inquiry.
– Rationalists belittled traditional faith, substituting human reason
as the ultimate authority.
– God created the natural universe and thereafter never interfered
with its natural laws
– rejected the supernatural and emotions of evangelical worship
– God was a benign deity who rewarded good behavior with
salvation
• People attending church complained that worship had lost its
former intensity and that services had degenerated into
meaningless ritual
Colonial Life
• Second only to churches, taverns were a major
center of social life in the 18th century colonies
• Distilleries cropped up in New England
– Dependent upon imported sugar and molasses from
West Indies
• Meetings were conducted in taverns
• In early 18th century, church attendance began to
wane
– Church membership became predominantly women
– Men and youth would no longer attend in force
New England
• Best access to churches as Congregationalists
(Puritans) were largest single denomination
• Because of their egalitarian views, women had
just as much influence in the church. In fact,
women members outnumbered men two-toone.
The Great Awakening
• The first revivals took place in New England under the
preaching of Rev. Solomon Stoddard
• Although rejecting the rationalist error that anyone
could be saved by behaving well, Stoddard was
decidedly Calvinist
– God’s grace was bestowed as an arbitrary free gift
– if they would forsake their sins that God would act to
bestow His grace
• His grandson was the famous Jonathan Edwards
– Stoddard taught his grandson and successor the
importance of arousing the congregation to seek God’s
grace through conversion experiences
• 1741 Jonathan Edwards preached his famous
message “Sinners in the hands of an angry God”
...thousands were born again.
• Revivals soon spread across colonial borders and
denominational lines:
– Theodore Frelinghuysen, a Dutch Reformed minister, and
the Presbyterian brothers Gilbert and John Tennent, Jr
the revivals were some of the most synchronous and
extensive in colonial experience
– and spreading back to England, a young Anglican minister
named George Whitfield eagerly read the inspiring works
of Jonathan Edwards
Solomon Stoddard
Jonathan Edwards
George Whitefield
• Whitfield adopted the evangelical style of his American
colleague which put him at odds with the dominant
rationalism which had largely stagnated the Church of
England.
• Whitfield became a tireless itinerant, crisscrossing the
extent of Wales and England preaching to thousands of
factory workers, miners and country commoners.
• His voice was exceptional, captivating and could be plainly
heard by the largest crowds. His dramatic movement s and
eloquence held his audiences spell-bound and crowds
eagerly gathered to hear this great evangelist.
• He sent workers ahead of time to pass out handbills and
post announcements regarding upcoming revival meetings.
• When the colonists heard of
Whitfield’s revivals in England, they
eagerly longed to hear him as well.
During 1739-1741, Whitfield toured
the colonies from Maine to Georgia.
• The money collected in the offerings
he sent to help the orphanages in
Georgia.
• While in Philadelphia, Whitfield
befriended Benjamin Franklin
although the latter was quite
skeptical of the evangelist’s true
motives at first. Franklin was a
confirmed rationalist and
determined not to contribute to the
offering.
• “I had in my pocket a handful of copper
money, three or four silver dollars and five
pistoles in gold. As he proceeded, I began to
soften, and concluded to give the coppers.
Another stroke of his oratory made me
ashamed of that, and determined me to give
the silver; and he finished so admirably, that I
emptied my pocket wholly into the collector’s
dish, gold and all.”
• Franklin so applauded Whitfield’s work in America, that he
became one of his most avid supporters attributing
Whitfield’s messages as the single most important reason for
the improved morals of Philadelphia’s common people.
• Publishing Whitfield’s messages in his Pennsylvania Gazette,
Franklin helped spread Whitfield’s message far beyond the
reach of his marvelous voice. American publishers produced
over 80,000 copies of Whitfield’s booklets, enough for ten
percent of the entire population in the American colonies.
• After Whitfield left in 1741, the colonial churches swelled in
membership well into 1742. The impact was most dramatic in
New England especially among men and youths such that it
reversed what had been a female majority in their churches
for decades preceding the Great Awakening.
Virginia
• The southern colonies were Royal colonies and
strictly followed the decrees of the Crown
including the intolerant rule of Anglican Church
– no minister permitted to preach w/o ordination by
Anglican bishop in England
– church attendance was mandatory (violators penalized
50# tobacco)
• Toleration Act of 1689 eased things a little
– under protestant regency of William and Mary
– “dissenters” could apply for license
– several Baptist churches founded 1714-1756
Baptists Come to VA
• Shubal Stearns converted under Whitfield in Boston
was ordained Baptist and led of God to Guilford
County, NC
– established Sandy Creek Baptist Church 1755 with 16
members
– quickly grew to 600
– other Baptist churches sent out from here into Virginia
• Multitudes abandoned dead Anglican churches and
found new life in Baptist Churches
• The Separates and the Baptists took seriously the
spiritual equality of all awakened people.
• They ordained their own preachers who,
preaching in open fields, private homes and barns
– reinforced their break from the traditional practice of
arranging church pews in a hierarchy of status.
– Social distinctions were suspended as there was
unashamed mixing of rich and poor; Indian, white and
black; men and women.
– Women were influential and could vote in the
congregation to select a pastor, approve church
projects, etc.
Anglican Backlash
• Stung by loss of parishioners, Anglican leadership
resorted to persecution of Baptists
– sermons were interrupted by snakes or hornet nests
tossed in windows
– drunken mobs were stirred against them
– 1758 Col Samuel Harris of VA militia was converted
and became a preacher
• first Baptist minister to be jailed in VA
– his convert(a former drunkard) Lewis Craig turned
preacher and was arrested in 1766 for “ keeping
unlawful [meetings] and worshipping God contrary to
the law of the land”
• During his trial, the jury took
recess in a nearby tavern
– the crowd hushed in shock when
the defendant Craig walked in!
– “gentlemen, I thank you, for your
attention to me, when I was about
this court yard in all kind of vanity,
folly and vice, you took no notice
of me; but when I have forsaken all
these vices, and warn men to
forsake and repent of their sins,
you bring me to the bar as a
transgressor, ... how is all this!”
• One of jury, “Swearing Jack”
Waller was so moved he was
converted , settled his gambling
debts and began itinerant
ministry of his own.
• 8 mos later, Waller found himself in prison
with Craig, accused of disturbing peace
– “These men are great disturbers of the peace;
they cannot meet a man upon the road but they
must ram a text of scripture down his throat.”
– they refused offers to be released if they promised
not to preach for a year
• Coming to the defense of the Baptist preachers
was the famed patriot-lawyer Patrick Henry
– he was always a friend of liberty
– paid expenses out of his own pocket
– often paid the fines levied against preachers
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that
this great nation was founded, not be religionists, but
by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths
have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of
worship here.” Patrick Henry
• As in Acts 6:7, “the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples multiplied.”
• The number of the Baptist churches grew in
the period 1769-1774 from 7 to fifty-four!
• When the preachers could no longer go to the
people, the congregations boldly came to the
jails!
• James Ireland spent 5 months in jail preaching
through the bars to huge crowds
• Independent Baptists were not alone reaping a
harvest during the Great Awakening
• revival spread to Presbyterians, German-speaking
communities
• But as revival spread, reprisals became more brutal
• Waller while preaching was interrupted by county
sheriff and the parish minister.
– when he attempted to pray, sheriff rammed horsewhip
down his throat
– He was dragged outside and brutally beaten
– though bloodied, Waller continued his sermon
Remarkable Change
• by late 1760s, the courage of the Baptist
preachers was widely publicized
• many sympathized with the dissenters and began
to petition House of Burgesses for religious
freedom.
• In 1775 a petition with 10,000 signatures was
presented throughout the colony received a
successful hearing
– all denominations began to join the band wagon
– result Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776
Roots of the First Amendment
• In 1780’s these dissenters in Virginia formed a
coalition with the Deist rationalists to frame
the First Amendment to the Constitution
• Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut
wrote to President Thomas Jefferson in 1801
reaffirming these concerns
The Indian Factor
• Six-tribe Iroquois Nation separated the
French colonies along the St Lawrence
from the English colony of New York
along the Hudson
• Savvy politicians recognized their
importance:
– “On whose ever side the Iroquois Indians
fall, they will cast the balance” New York’s
governor was told
– “The Iroquois are more to be feared than
the English colonies” Governor-General of New
France 1711
The Seven Years War
• Beginning in 1754 in North America (where it was
called “French and Indian War”) as a conflict
between Britain and France over colonies
• in two years evolved in to a global conflict
• it was the first conflict in which the colonist
militias worked with British regulars
• British colonists learned hard lessons that the
European style of massed troops out in the open
were no match for the guerilla style fighting of the
French and Indians
William Pitt
• During the reign of Hanoverian
Kings (George I & II), the role of
the Prime Minister became
prominent, overshadowed
crown
• Pitt masterminded the global
conflict that elevated Britain to
the place of a world power
• he was lover of liberty and a
friend of America
• Britain and Prussian allies fought against
everyone else: Spain, France, Sweden, Russia,
Austria, Hungary
• The war involved the colonies of Europe in
Americas and Asia
• In Fall of 1753, Major George Washington of Virginia
Militia was commissioned by Governor Dinwiddie in
Williamsburg to carry a message
– the French had been fortifying the Ohio Valley and forging
alliances with the local Indian tribes
– Washington was to inform them to clear out of the Ohio
Valley as they were infringing upon the territory of the
Royal Colony. French rejected the message & turned the
Indians on his party
– During the 250 mile trek back through the frontier
wilderness, Washington survived an icy plunge into the
Allegheny River and an Indian’s attempt to kill him
Jumonville Glen 1754
• In opening battle of conflict, LCol Washington
returned to Ohio River Valley with 100 militia
and 50 British-allied Iroquois warriors and
surprised a French garrison of 50 men outside
Fort Duquesne
– while French were sleeping , Washington attacked
with bayonets: killing 10 including French captain
Battle of Fort Necessity
• Washington was pursued by 700
French reinforcements
• set up makeshift garrison at Ft
Necessity in hopes of help
• after a valiant attempt to hold the
position, Washington’s forces
outnumbered and their powder wet
by rain were forced to surrender
• French generously allowed them to
return to Williamsburg, not wishing
to provoke a war
Braddock’s Defeat
• A force of 2,000 British regulars and Virginia militia led by M Gen
Edward Braddock attempted to take Ft Duquesne 1755
• Washington served with Braddock; Gen ignored advice of his
eight Indian guides
• After the troops crossed the Monongahela River, they marched
straight into French and Indian ambush
• after several attempts to rally his troops, Braddock was shot in
the chest and taken off the field by Washington.
– As he lay dying, he gave his sword sash to Washington;
– the latter never went anywhere without the sash the rest of his life
• Washington had 4 bullet holes in his coat & 2 horses shot from
under him! Washington saved half the force by organizing a
brilliant retreat
– overall 1,000 British forces killed or wounded, 40 French/Indian
casualties
French and Indian War
• the British and colonial militias continued to push
the French in N America and in 1756 this led to a
formal declaration of war which spread
throughout Europe and Asia
• 1756 Lenni Lenape and his Shawnee raiders
attacked the western frontiers of Pennsylvania,
Virginia & Maryland
– forced colonial retreat to within 100 miles of
Philadelphia
• 1757 Combined forces of French regulars,
Canadian militia and their Indian allies captured
British forts on Lake Ontario and Lake George
French and Indian War
• Provoked by two years of embarrassing set backs, George II
bowed to public pressure and allowed William Pitt to control the
administration as “Prime Minister”
– Pitt selected from House of Commons “the Great Commoner”
– Friendship & respect of Parliament and people
• Pitt poured money and resources into North America
– 45,000 troops (half British regulars, half colonial militia) were
committed
– New respect for colonial militia
– selected admirals & generals on basis of merit rather than political
connections, much more ready to listen to Indian & colonial leaders
• By 1759, the British had pushed to Quebec and Gen James Wolfe
defeated French forces outside the city but was mortally
wounded.
• The city was taken and in 1760, French sovereignty in N America
was broken and they surrendered to the British:
• Canada transformed into a British colony 1761
Aftermath of the French & Indian Wars
• Initially the colonies rejoiced that western frontier was secured
and that they had a part in making Britain the strongest empire on
earth
• But then the colonies were no longer “forgotten in obscurity” but
the British administration was considering how to reel them in
• Britain now had incurred a large national debt and the colonists
were to share the pain
• With the French removed, the Indians now had only the British on
which to take out their frustrations as settlers ignored the borders
set between the colonial governments and the Indians
• Colonists learned the importance of the Indians and not to use
European tactics in North America:
– not to engage a superior force in frontal assault
– but rather engage in repeated guerilla attacks and withdrawals before
enemy counter-attacks
– Friendship & alliance with the Indians important