Questions and Answers
What was the population of the English colonies on the Atlantic Coast in 1701?
250,000
By 1775, what was the population of the English colonies on the Atlantic Coast?
2,500,000
What significant factors contributed to the population increase in the colonies?
Which European countries did most of the immigrants to the British colonies come from?
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Where did most immigrants settle in the 18th century?
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The German population comprised more than 6 percent of the colonial population by 1775.
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What is the primary language and religion of the German immigrants in Pennsylvania?
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What is the other name for the Scotch-Irish immigrants?
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By 1775, the African American population made up ______ percent of the colonial population.
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What type of laborers comprised the majority of the African Americans in the southern colonies?
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Study Notes
Colonial Society in the 18th Century
- American identity evolved by 1782, showcasing a society distinct from European roots.
- Population in English colonies increased from 250,000 in 1701 to 2.5 million by 1775, indicating a tenfold growth.
- African Americans saw an even larger rise from 28,000 in 1701 to 500,000 in 1775, driven by immigration and high birth rates.
Immigration Influences
- Immigration accounted for nearly a million arrivals, alongside natural population growth in colonial families.
- Immigrants came from diverse regions, including England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and German-speaking areas.
- Many sought to escape persecution, conflict, or to pursue economic opportunities in farming or trade.
Settlement Patterns
- Most immigrants settled in middle colonies (Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey) and the southern frontier.
- New England saw limited immigrant settlement due to land scarcity and Puritan dominance.
Major Immigrant Groups
- Germans: Primarily settled near Philadelphia, maintaining their language and customs, making up 6% of the population by 1775.
- Scotch-Irish: Emigrants from Northern Ireland, settled in western regions, comprising 7% of the population, often distrusting British governance.
- Other Europeans: Included Huguenots, Dutch, and Swedes, collectively representing 5% of the colonial population.
African American Population
- Africans, forcibly brought to America, represented the largest group of non-English immigrants.
- By 1775, African Americans constituted 20% of the colonial population, with roughly 90% enslaved, predominantly in the South.
- Despite legal discrimination, some African Americans gained freedom and engaged in various occupations, including skilled trades and ownership of property.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the colonial society in the 18th century America. Explore the transformations that shaped the identity of the new American, as described by J. Hector St. John Crevecoeur in his notable work. This quiz covers key themes, principles, and ideas of the period.
