Part 2, Chapter 8 Summary and Analysis

Towards the middle of the 18th century, the stratification of colonial society is increasing, but democratic forces are against its solidifying. Contemporaries are unaware of structural shifts in how problems are resolved. America's population is doubling every 20 years, faster than anywhere in the Western world. There are high birth rates, low death rates and a flood of immigrants from the British Isles and Germany. People begin escaping the original narrow strip of settlement along the Atlantic for opportunity and freedom inland. They move as never before. Old towns' lose populations and replace them with new ones. New towns are formed to provide services to migrants. The British victory over France in 1759-63 opens 500 million acres to speculators and settlers. Farmers follow the hunters and explorers down river valleys until the western territory is encircled. New England farmers give up...