Changes

In the 1700s, the English colonies grew in size, reaching 2 million in population compared to only 100,000 in the French settlements.   

In the 1700s, the English colonies grew in size, reaching 2 million in population compared to only 100,000 in the French settlements.   

But notice that the citizens of the English colonies were not exclusively English.  Germans came here, African slaves came here involuntarily, and Scotch-Irish immigrated to the back country of the Middle Colonies and settled in Appalachia, where they remain a key voting bloc today in support of the right to bear arms (own guns).  The Middle Colonies were New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and consisted of many diverse ethnic groups and religions; prejudice existed between the groups but they were peaceful towards each other.  William Penn even ''advertised'' for immigrants to come to Pennsylvania.   

But notice that the residents of the English colonies were not exclusively English.  Germans came here, African slaves came here involuntarily, and Scotch-Irish immigrated to the back country of the Middle Colonies and settled in Appalachia, where they remain a key voting bloc today in support of the right to bear arms (own guns).  The Middle Colonies were New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, and consisted of many diverse ethnic groups and religions; prejudice existed between the groups but they were peaceful towards each other.  William Penn even ''advertised'' for immigrants to come to Pennsylvania.   

In the 1730s and 1740s, a marvelous spiritual revival known as the "Great Awakening" swept the colonies.  A glorious [[Christian]] fervor spread throughout, helping to bring the colonies closer together in terms of beliefs, customs and practices.  Led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, this was called "New Light" revivalism to distinguish it from the spiritualism of the 1600s.

In the 1730s and 1740s, a marvelous spiritual revival known as the "Great Awakening" swept the colonies.  A glorious [[Christian]] fervor spread throughout, helping to bring the colonies closer together in terms of beliefs, customs and practices.  Led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, this was called "New Light" revivalism to distinguish it from the spiritualism of the 1600s.

To confront the problems, nine colonies met with each other in the Stamp Act Congress in New York City in October 1765.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

To confront the problems, nine colonies met with each other in the Stamp Act Congress in New York City in October 1765.  This was the first time the colonists had come together to consider protesting.  They sent a petition to the King.  Later, a boycott of British goods was organized.   

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act's direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  This common burden united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every citizen.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

Colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act's direct (internal) taxation.  If the Act were not odious enough in its own right, the fact that it came during a time of weak economy threatened to injure the colonies more deeply.  This common burden united colonists, for the Stamp Act affected every colony and every resident.  They shared the injury of a common grievance, and had a common cause to work towards.

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.

In Massachusetts, Sam Adams created the Sons of Liberty during July 1765.  This group strongly protested the Stamp Act and forced British-appointed stamp agent Andrew Oliver to resign.