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Additional Class Topics

For Further Interest: Additional Class Topics
Chapter 5: Colonial Society on the Eve of Revolution, 1700 - 1775

Compare the social structure and social life of the eighteenth century with that of the seventeenth century as described in Chapter 4. Discuss what factors caused the transition toward greater social diversity and complexity and whether the development was an inevitable result of population growth and expansion.
Focus on the issue of racial, ethnic, and religious diversity in the colonies. The discussion might emphasize the question of how diverse the colonies really were, since the ethnic groups were all northern Europeanexcept for blacksand the religious groups almost all Protestant.
Select a particular colonial occupation and consider how the activities of those who performed it might differ from those of later, twentieth-century practitioners. Among the occupations that could be discussed in this way: farmer, merchant, lawyer, minister, printer, schoolteacher, doctor. Benjamin Franklin as printer might form a good focus, with further emphasis on how he combined this role with so many others, such as scientist, politician, and diplomat.
Use the example of Jonathan Edwards as preacher, pastor, theologian, and educator in order to explain the motivations and impact of the Great Awakening. A sermon like Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (which some students know from literature classes) might be compared with some of Edwardss other writings.
Examine the other British colonies in the eighteenth-century (Canada, the Floridas, various Caribbean islands). In what ways were they similar and different than the thirteen Atlantic seaboard colonies? What clues does this provide about why only the thirteen sought independence?
Review the scientific achievements that were going on in eighteenth-century Europe while the colonies were developing in North America. (Halley, Fahrenheit, James Bradley, Celsius, Watt) How does Benjamin Franklin compare to his European counterparts?
Review the literary and musical achievements that were going on in eighteenth-century Europe while the colonies were developing in North America. (Bach, Handel, Pope, Vivaldi, Defoe, Voltaire, Johnson, Fielding, Haydn, Mozart)