2.7 Colonial Society and Culture

A mix of peoples and beliefs

Colonial society grew increasingly diverse through voluntary migration and forced enslavement. Ethnic diversity rose as English, Scots-Irish, Germans, and enslaved Africans settled the colonies. The Great Awakening (1730s–40s) spread emotional, evangelical Christianity, challenging traditional authority and encouraging religious pluralism, revivalism, and questioning of established churches.

Regional labor and economic systems

Regions developed distinct economies shaped by geography and labor needs. The Chesapeake and Lower South relied heavily on enslaved labor for tobacco and rice/indigo plantations. New England built commerce, shipbuilding, and fishing economies with family farms. The Middle Colonies produced grain and attracted diverse immigrants, fostering a mixed economy of farming and trade.

Growing colonial identity and tensions

Colonists developed a sense of identity tied to both Britain and their local colony, shaped by transatlantic trade, print culture, and shared Enlightenment ideas. Tensions arose from class divisions, frontier conflicts like Bacon's Rebellion, and debates over slavery's role, revealing growing social stratification and competing visions of colonial society.

Key terms

Great Awakening

A series of religious revivals (1730s–40s) emphasizing emotional, personal faith and challenging established church authority.

Chesapeake/Lower South economy

Plantation agriculture (tobacco, rice, indigo) heavily dependent on enslaved labor.

Middle Colonies economy

Grain production ('breadbasket') with a diverse mix of farming, trade, and immigrant communities.

New England economy

Commerce, shipbuilding, fishing, and small family farms, with less reliance on enslaved labor.

Colonial identity

A dual sense of belonging to both Britain and one's local colony, shaped by trade, print culture, and shared Enlightenment ideas.

Try an AP-style question

The First Great Awakening encouraged…

1. Catholic conversion
2. emotional religion and questioning authority
3. strict obedience to the Church of England
4. the end of all churches