Unit 4: NC as a Colony

Unit Summary and Vocabulary:

North Carolina as a Colony

North Carolina developed at as slow pace compared to the other southern colonies. There was many instances of fighting and arguing amongst the colonists of North Carolina that stemmed from their cultural differences based upon where they lived in the colony. Eastern North Carolina had a higher population and was more developed. Western North Carolina had a more rural population and did not agree with the laws of the towns and cities in the east.

During colonial times in North Carolina, there was much corruption in government. A group that called themselves the “Regulators” decided to fight back against this corruption and expose the wrongdoings publically. This group started a movement that was seen by the colonial government as being rebellious. Governor Tryon ordered the regulators to disband but when they did not, the colonial militia opened fire on them. This started the Battle of Alamance. The Regulators lost this battle and the Regulator movement ended. However, the men who were Regulators would become Patriots who wanted complete independence from England.

Important Vocabulary:

Sectionalism: a strong loyalty to the region or section where a person lives

Regulator: A member of the association formed in North Carolina to regulate public grievances and abuses of power by the colonial government

Battle of Alamance: the 1771 battle between the militia of the colonial North Carolina and the Regulators. Ended in victory by the Colonial Militia