Chapter 4: American society transformed

Population Growth and Ethnic Diversity
The population of the New World sky rocketed with the ratios of the sexes balancing out and women baring children every two to three years.
•Population grew from 250,000 to 2.5 million from 1700 to 1775.
•2/3 of all slaves were carried across the Atlantic to Chesapeake colony raising the population
• The population expanded so much so that they deported “undesirables” from the colonies. This being the convicts and rebels.
Economic Growth and Development
As soon as America started to supply themselves with their goods, their economy increased dramatically through sales of tobacco and foodstuff.
• Americans began pull away from their dependence on European goods
• On average, a Pennsylvania farm family consumed only 40% of their harvest and sold the rest
• Tobacco still was the largest export from mainland
Colonial Cultures With the increase of the economy for all colonies, the difference between the upper class and lower became abundantly clear and cultures and social norms started to take root.
• Genteel Culture were men whose wealth came from, agriculture, trade, or manufacturing. They were known for their lavish wardrobe, lifestyle wealth that allowed them to live leisurely
• The Enlightenment was a group of intelligent men of this particular era that gathered to discuss theories usually pertaining to science in order to “make sense of god’s creation”
• Tea drinking was one of the most prominent consumption rituals dominated by women in the 18th century
Politics: Stability and Crisis in British America
In attempt to organize a stable government in the colonies, there were a few rebellions which made achieving this goal harder than expected.
•Colonists encouraged the usage of assemblies with elected officials. They claimed privileges associated with control of