Power Authority And Wealth Analysis

The social and political atmospheres within the colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries were constantly evolving—and often depended on the people that made it up. In Power, Authority, and Wealth, by James A. Henretta, he examines this idea by looking at the links between the wealth, social hierarchies, and political changes in the north and south, and how this affected key groups across both regions. The Great Planters of the south owed their power to their wealth, which allowed them to gain both social and political influence. The rise of entrepreneurs in the north, created a populous, socially mobile middle-class that began to have social influences and political opportunities. With the rise of more independent, local governments these
With less slaves to provide labor, the northern colonies initially began to rely on indentured servants. As this system of social control was breaking down by the mid-18th century, society began looking elsewhere for economic growth (41). The solution presented itself when capitalism took hold in the northern colonies—dictating both the economics and social hierarchies of the region (41). Many people had to fend for themselves and survive in the market economy, and this led to an increase of ambitious, risk-taking, analytical workers that started off as craftsmen or laborers, but rose through the social ranks (41-42). What truly made this change possible was the rise of entrepreneurship. In fact, a New York reporter stated in 1748, that “the only principle of life propagated among young people is to get money” (42). Oftentimes, this movement up the social ladder was made possible because a worker was predisposed to wealth or a fortunate family. Henretta cites the example of Thomas Hancock, who became an extremely wealthy merchant because of his fortunate, educated family that provided him with opportunities that others lacked (42). Men and women across the north were becoming wealthier, and suddenly the north had a very populous middle-class—some of which even reached the upper-classes. The bubbling ambition within these classes ultimately translated into more politically
Clearly, the southern Great Planters did not have to work to gain authority and power—wealth was the key that made this possible. Similarly, the northern middle-class was able to prosper and propel themselves forward because having some money could help bring in more of it (through smart investments), and gave these people social and political leverage. Even the political changes in the 18th century made it easier for the elites and middle-classes to succeed politically—as England could not control the local governments and assemblies of the colonies. Thus, the trend in which wealth brought social authority and eventually political power to individuals was integral, as it exemplified how wealth ran society across the