Diversity of Colonial Communities: 1700-1750

Although many videos look at Colonial life, few spend as much time on the multiethnic pre-Revolutionary era as this tape. The thirteen original colonies were home to Native Americans, people whose ancestors were from Africa and Europe, and even Jewish settlers, who landed in the New World starting in the 17th century. Taped at several historic sites, including Salem, St. Mary's City, Williamsburg and Carter's Grove, the video discusses the regional differences between the colonies as well as the differences among people based on race, gender and economics. In addition, the program points to the historical impact of the Great Awakening in setting America's evangelical ideals, influencing everything from belief in church-state separation to the dawning realization that slavery was evil. However, as notable (and recommended) as the tape is, there are still a couple of mistakes in the script that cannot pass without comment: 1) it was not a crime to be poor in Great Britain, it was a crime to be in debt, and debtor's prisons were established for those who were hopelessly in the red; and 2) the claim that there was "virtually no middle class" in the South is belied by the fact that the Piedmont, in particular, was noted for social mobility, especially among freed indentured servants (unfortunately, the tape does not even address the prevalence of white servitude in all the colonies). Despite these shortcomings, this otherwise well done program is recommended for a wide variety of ages. Aud: I, J, H, C, P. (R. Reagan)