Lesson 5: The Colonies Become America

Lesson Focus

Colonial society, built on British foundations, grew distinct by the mid-1700s. A haven for diverse religious beliefs, the colonies saw religious toleration become a necessity, with churches central to community life and political influence.

People to Know

John Locke, Roger Williams, Peter Zenger

Learning Objectives

• Explain why religious freedom and toleration developed during the colonial period.
• Identify sources of democratic government and individual rights in the colonies, including Enlightenment ideas and a free press.

The colonies were settled by many different religious groups, from Puritan Congregationalists in New England to Quakers and Catholics elsewhere.
Initially, this diversity led to persecution, as some groups punished those with different beliefs.
However, because no single church could dominate everywhere, this variety made religious toleration a practical necessity. Pay special attention to how this laid the groundwork for the future separation of church and state in America.

In the 1740s, ministers like Jonathan Edwards worried that religious passion was fading, sparking a revival.
Preachers like George Whitefield then led the Great Awakening, delivering powerful sermons across the colonies that created new churches and divisions.
As a result, colonists felt freer to choose their own church, which strengthened religious toleration. Note that this movement also led to the founding of new colleges like Princeton and Rutgers.

Puritans believed people needed literacy to read the Bible and understand local laws.
The Massachusetts General Court Act of 1647 legally required towns to establish public schools, a new concept for the time.
While education was widespread in New England, it was less common in other regions. This early focus on schooling, though primitive, helped create one of the most literate societies in the world and established the principle of public education.

A European intellectual movement called the Enlightenment introduced new ideas about reason and science to the colonies.
Colonists read thinkers like John Locke, who argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that governments are formed to protect these rights.
These ideas powerfully shaped American thinking, leading colonists to believe that government should be an agent of the people, not an absolute ruler with unlimited power.

In 1735, newspaper publisher Peter Zenger was arrested for libel after he printed articles criticizing New York's corrupt royal governor.
During his trial, his lawyer famously argued that printing the truth is not a crime. The jury agreed and found Zenger not guilty.
This case became a landmark victory for free speech. It established the vital democratic principle that a free press has the right to criticize the government.

Although Britain appointed some governors, its direct control over the colonies was limited.
Colonists gained practical experience by electing their own legislatures and managing local affairs. In New England, the town meeting allowed citizens to participate directly in democratic decision-making.
This long history of self-government, though limited to property-owning white men, gave Americans the skills and confidence needed to later establish their own independent nation.