GB+Chapter+5

__Chapter 5 __ 1775- The population of the colonies increases to 2.5 million. 90% of population lives in rural areas. Early 1700’s- Scots-Irish come to America and take illegal plots of land to settle. In colonial society it was socially acceptable for a poor person to become wealthy. It was a very charitable society but blacks could not rise in social class. 1763- Angered by false promises to protect the frontier, a group from Paxton Pennsylvania killed 20 non violent Indians in the area then marched to the capital where the issue was resolved by Benjamin Franklin. He promised the ‘Paxton Boys’ more protection and they went home. 1765- First Medical school is established at the College and Academy of Philadelphia. 1730’s- Diphtheria epidemic 90% of all colonists work in agriculture. 1759- New York exports 80 thousand barrels of flour a year. New England has a major fishing and lumbering industry. Lumber was used to build ships for the British merchant marine. The Triangular Trade was established- Colonies (rum), Gold Coast of Africa (slaves), West Indies (molasses). Colonists begin to export to other markets such as France and the West Indies. Taverns are built along roadways. Mid 1700’s- first intercontinental postal system is created. Education grows in Puritan New England. The University of Pennsylvania is the first non-denominational college. The largest library in the colonies is owned by the Byrd family. It contained 4,000 books. Benjamin Franklin- writes //Poor Richard’s Almanack//. He invents bifocals and Franklin stove. Famous kite flying experiment 1734-35- John Peter Zenger is charged with seditious libel for criticizing the New York governor. After being imprisoned for ten months his case went to court. He was defended by the prominent Andrew Hamilton. He convinced the jury and Zenger was found not guilty. Colonial Government Structure Each colony used a two house system. The upper house or council was appointed by royal authority or voters. The lower house contained officials who were elected by the people of the colony. Although, there were strict qualifications necessary for holding an office in this system. <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt;">By 1775 America was very democratic compared to England but it was not yet a true democracy. <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Free time activities were varied and enjoyed on occasion. These included musters (militia drills), house raisings, quilting bees, husking bees, and apple pairings. Weddings and funerals were both popular social events in which lots of drinking was involved. <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt;">