Lecture Notes - AP US History: Colonial Society and Structure (1607-1754)
Summary:
In this lecture from Heimler's AP US History series, we explore Unit 2, focusing on colonial society and structure from 1607 to 1754. The discussion centers around how the movement of ideas and people across the Atlantic contributed to the development of an American culture, with a special emphasis on the Enlightenment, the Great Awakening, and the evolving resistance towards British authority.
Enlightenment and Its Impact:
- Origin and Focus: The Enlightenment, originating in Europe, emphasized rational thinking over tradition and religion ("thinky thinky parts over the faithy faithy parts").
- Spread to America: Robust transatlantic print culture helped diffuse Enlightenment ideas to the colonies.
- Influential Thinkers:
- John Locke: Introduced concepts like natural rights—life, liberty, and property.
- Rousseau, Voltaire, Kant: Ideas about government with checks and balances, and the social contract indicating that governance lies in the hands of the people.
The Great Awakening:
- Religious Revival: A response to the waning influence of biblical authority due to the Enlightenment.
- New Light Clergy: Inspired by German Pietism, emphasizing emotional and personal religious experience over intellectualism.
- Key Figures:
- Jonathan Edwards: New England minister who integrated Enlightenment ideas with religious fervor. Known for his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and his focus on joy in religious context.
- George Whitfield: Methodist from England, famous for his compelling sermons across the American colonies, impacting many with his powerful oratory skills.
- Social Consequences: Encouraged democratic ideals from the Bible, empowered the poor against wealthy colonial officials, and laid foundational attitudes for colonial self-governance.
Resistance and Self-Governance:
- Response to British Control: As colonies grew, the British Parliament struggled with effective governance, leading colonies to develop self-governing structures like town meetings.
- Impressment Resistance: Illustrated growing colonial dissent; in 1747 during King George’s War (part of the War of Austrian Succession), mandatory impressment led to riots among Americans, highlighting resistance against violations of natural rights.
Conclusion:
- Synthesis: Both Enlightenment and Great Awakening philosophies substantially shaped colonial American culture, fostering a sense of unity and shared resistance against British authority.
- Upcoming Discussions: Future lectures will delve deeper into colonial resistance against Britain and the significant consequences of these tensions.
This session encapsulates the crucial blend of intellectual and religious movements that profoundly shaped early American societal structures and ideologies.