Summary
Highlights
The colonies were characterized by significant diversity, featuring a large British majority alongside substantial populations of German immigrants (6%), Scots-Irish (7%), other Europeans (5%), and enslaved Africans (20%). This diversity, particularly in religious practices, contributed to a unique colonial identity, although colonists still largely identified as British subjects.
Colonial society increasingly mirrored British society. A new wealthy merchant class emerged in the North and elite planters in the South, resembling British nobility. A consumer revolution increased demand for British goods, and social status became tied to financial success. The governmental structure also adopted a British model with governors and a bicameral legislature, despite local variations in appointments.
The Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement emphasizing rational thought and questioning authority, significantly shaped colonial identity. Ideas from thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, concerning natural rights and the social contract, spread through transatlantic print culture and laid the groundwork for American political philosophy.
The Great Awakening, a religious revival in the 1730s and 1740s, revitalized religion in the colonies after a period of decline. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield emphasized emotional and personal religious experiences, leading to widespread conversions. This movement fostered a sense of shared identity among colonists and marked the first mass movement in the colonies.
Tensions escalated due to disagreements over territorial settlements in the Ohio River Valley. Colonial population growth led to a desire for westward expansion, but Britain resisted to prevent conflicts with indigenous peoples and French claims, leading to colonial discontent.
The colonists' long history of self-governance, particularly during periods of "salutary neglect," fostered a sense of independence. British attempts to assert control, such as impressment into the navy and restrictions on colonial presses, were met with strong resistance, exemplified by the Boston riots of 1747 and the Zenger trial of 1735, which highlighted the colonists' belief in their natural rights and freedom of the press.
Trade policies, like the Navigation Acts, restricted colonial trade to Britain, despite the colonies' growing industrial capacity and demand for other markets. This led to widespread smuggling, further fueling colonial resentment and economic independence from Britain.