Untitled Notes

Reference to weather conditions affecting Texas driving, particularly during winter in Waco (every 2-3 years).
Comparison made with Ozark Mountains, where winter conditions are more frequent and better learned.
Emphasis on the speaker's comfort with winter driving contrasted with others' challenges in Texas.

Mention of a recorded podcast available on Brightspace, aimed at keeping students caught up with lecture material.
Encouragement for students to listen to the podcast over the weekend.
Reminder about the weekly attendance quiz, which opens at the end of class and can be completed quickly.
Suggestion for students to fill out the attendance quiz before leaving the room for convenience.

Clarification that conversations regarding quiz feedback are best done via email directly, rather than through Brightspace comments.
Encouragement for students to ask questions and provide their email for a prompt response.

Key objective of the class: "Understanding People" through historical events.
Importance of appreciating connections between conditions and reactions in history.

Discussion of class triangles within colonial cities:
- 5% of colonists control 50% of the wealth.
- Class Triangle in Urban Areas:
- Merchants (ex. John Hancock) at the top
- Artisans (ex. Paul Revere) under merchants
- Shopkeepers below artisans
- Apprentices below shopkeepers
- Laborers at the bottom
- Slaves at the very bottom
- Class Triangle in Rural Areas:
- Planters (large landholders, ex. William Berkeley) at the top
- Yeoman farmers below planters
- Traveling retailers below yeomen
- Renters below traveling retailers
- Laborers below renters
- Slaves at the bottom
Differentiation between urban and rural class triangles despite similarities, with rivalries persisting among socioeconomic classes.

Example of conflict among colonists: led by Nathaniel Bacon, a yeoman farmer in Virginia against Governor William Berkeley (a planter).
Significance lies in the social tensions between classes and competition, mirroring European rivalries.

Description of mercantilism as a method for the British Empire to thrive in the South Atlantic system through mutual dependency between colonies.
Colonies as "little Englands" providing goods to each other and England, enhancing economic competition and cooperation.

Definition of salutary neglect: A period where minimal regulations were imposed on colonies, leading to a sense of autonomy.
Discussion of implications when rules were later imposed, and the resultant resistance from colonists used to independence.

Colonial foundations influenced by religion:
- Maryland as a Catholic colony;
- Massachusetts founded for Puritan worship and religious freedom (e.g., Thanksgiving Pilgrims).
- Division created by Puritans valuing liberty to deny others liberty, leading to establishment of Rhode Island.
Religion's significance diminishes as colonies grow more economically successful, with churches shifting from community hubs to structured hierarchies dominated by wealthy men.
- Reflection on the seating arrangements in churches as emblematic of societal class structures.
Juxtaposition of sermons focused on Christian virtues versus realities faced by enslaved individuals trapped in oppressive institutions.

Emergence of a religious revival in the 1730s, differing from prior religious structures.
Characterized by passionate and dramatic sermons given by influential preachers (e.g., George Whitfield).
New lights (Great Awakening ministers) opposed by old lights (traditional church authority).
The challenge to authority exemplified in the Great Awakening foreshadowing the American Revolution.

The Enlightenment as a birth of scientific reasoning and critical thinking focused on natural phenomena.
Notable figures include Isaac Newton, who posited that mathematical principles govern natural laws (e.g., gravity).
John Locke's philosophy challenged the notion of innate essence, proposing instead that people are born as blank slates influenced by experiences (conditions leading to reactions).
- Locke's concept of natural rights: life, liberty, and property, establishing a precedent for future democratic ideals.

Benjamin Franklin as a quintessential Enlightenment thinker and self-made man.
His journey from a young apprentice in printing to a successful businessman and influential figure in multiple fields (printing, science, public service).
Franklin's innovative inventions:
- Bifocals, Franklin stove, and development of the lightning rod through experiments with electricity.
- Formation of the first public library in America and volunteer fire department showcasing community engagement and civic responsibility.

Personal overview of a laborer's wife and family life in a two-room cabin.
A description of their daily routines, roles, and responsibilities, revealing the complexity and industriousness of colonial women.
Illustrative anecdotes about personal sacrifices, labor, and contributions to household economics.
- Tasks related to food preparation, cleaning, childcare, seasonal agricultural work, and community involvement.
Emphasis on historical importance of women's roles, challenging the traditional focus on male figures in history ("herstory").

Recap of the myriad elements influencing American history from the perspectives of social structure, technological invention, cultural shifts, and personal narratives.
Encouragement for students to appreciate the diverse voices and experiences that shape historical understanding, emphasizing women’s crucial roles alongside notable historical figures.