Patriarchal Family
A social system in which the father or eldest male is the head of the family, holding authority over women and children. This structure was prevalent in many societies, including colonial America, and influenced social hierarchies and cultural norms.
Walking Purchase
A controversial land deal in 1737 between the Penn family, the proprietors of Pennsylvania, and the Delaware Indians. The deal was supposedly based on the amount of land a person could walk in a day and a half, but the colonists used runners to extend the territory unfairly, leading to disputes and loss of trust.
New Light Clergy
Preachers during the Great Awakening who emphasized emotional spirituality and personal faith over traditional ritual and doctrine. They played a significant role in reviving religious fervor and reshaping American Protestantism in the 18th century.
Enlightenment
An intellectual and cultural movement of the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religious authority. Enlightenment ideas greatly influenced American political thought and the development of democratic principles.
Pietists
Members of a movement within Lutheranism and other Christian denominations emphasizing personal faith, piety, and a heartfelt connection to God. Pietism stressed the importance of living a devout life and was part of the religious underpinnings of the Great Awakening.
Great Awakening
A series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 18th century characterized by evangelical fervor and emotional preaching. It led to the growth of new denominations, increased religious diversity, and a greater emphasis on individual spirituality.
Impressment
The act of forcibly enlisting individuals into military service, particularly used by the British navy in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Impressment was a source of tension between Britain and its colonies, contributing to the causes of the American Revolution.
Enlightenment
A significant intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, logic, and scientific evidence as the primary sources of authority and legitimacy. It challenged traditional power structures, including the monarchy and the church, and influenced the American Revolution and the founding principles of the United States.