Compare And Contrast Jamestown And Massachusetts Bay Colonies

Despite arriving from England, the Chesapeake and New England colonies differed greatly in their ideas for a successful start at a new life. Both colonies came to the “New World” at an attempt for a fresh start, whether it be for religious or financial reasons. Their purpose for leaving England greatly impacted their future goals and experiences in the colonies, their drive and passion shaped the differences. New England was known for its religious colonies while the Chesapeake colonies are known for their cash crops. With this in mind, it is easy to see where the colonies’ focus and attention was drawn to, for the north family and community while in the south a financial motive.

In New England, religion played a huge part in there colonies, settlers in Massachusetts

Although all the colonists all came from England, the community development, purpose, and societal make-up caused a distinct difference between two distinct societies in New England and the Chesapeake region. The distinctions were obvious, whether it be the volume of religious drive, the need or lack of community, families versus single settlers, the decision on minimal wage, whether or not articles of agreements were drawn for and titles as well as other social matters were drawn, as well as where loyalties lay in leaders. New England was, overall, more religious than the Chesapeake region. Settlers in New England were searching relief for religious persecution in Europe. Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics were coming in droves to America searching for an opportunity to have religious freedom.

Early American colonies were the base of what it is now known the United States of America. Although almost all of the colonies were from the same time period each colony differed from each other. Some of the colonies differed by their economic system and also by their way of running their colony, their government. Also, the colonies differed from their culture and their way they lived. In addition, the New England and the Chesapeake colonies were not the exception they also differed from each other.

Town governments consisted of only men land owners. 2. Religious leaders had a very large influence on the colony 3. Government was supposed to enforce god’s laws.

Amid the late 16th century and into the 17th century, European nations quickly inhabited the new lands called the Americas. England sent out multiple groups to two regions in the eastern coast of North America. Those areas were called the Chesapeake and the New England locations. Later, in the end of the1700 's, these two locations would combine to create one nation. However originally both areas had very different and distinctive identities.

The New England colonies were first founded in the last 16th to 17th century as a sanctuary for differing religious groups. New England was made up of the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. New Hampshire, however, was formed for economic reasons instead of religious ones. The Chesapeake region, which is made up of the colonies of Maryland and Virginia, was founded by the British colonies for the purpose of farming. However, by the 1700’s, despite both being settled by Englishmen, New England and the Chesapeake region had developed differently.

The colony was a theocracy, which means that the Bible was the basis for laws, and God was the ruler of the colony, and based on Levitical laws. The Bible was a basis for decisions, including setting prices. Robert Keen was an example of someone who happened to disobey these laws, because he was fined for overpricing goods (38). The economy was based on fur traders, fishermen, and

The colonies of Massachusetts and Virginia were a start of the new world for England. These were founded by similar people but, with their strikingly differences, grew into separate political, economic and social structures. Both settlements arose from over-crowdedness in England: people wanted a better life. Virginia was settled by men who were single and looking for opportunities and wealth. They were part of the Anglican religion.

The three main colonies that we hear about are Virginia, Plymouth, and Massachusetts. These three colonies basically define all the others, as each group and its main founder either went for a personal financial gain or to escape religious persecution. Virginia was originally settled by Captain John Smith and grew into a successful trade colony through tobacco. Plymouth was originally founded by the Separatists and was lead by William Bradford. Eventually the dwindling Plymouth joined with Massachusetts which was originally Puritan based.

The English Monarch, at the time, wanted power over religion and sought total control. With this goal, practicing other religions, outside the Church of England, punishable by law. Many English wasted to continue practicing their religions, and America offered the potential to do so without the threat of English law. B. Describe the economic systems, social characteristics and political systems of the following colonies.

The primary goal of Jamestown was to make the colonists who journeyed there wealthy. They were looking for Gold and Silver. Religion wasn’t a main focus of this colony. The Colony was only Anglican because it was controlled by Britain. From the beginning, the main focus of the New England colonies was religion.

There are similarities and differences in the Virginia and Maryland colonies .They both used agriculture, had slave societies, and had representation governments. But they certain crops they planted , how their social structures were and the assemblies in government were different. Agriculture was the main source of money for Virginia and Maryland. Plantations in both colonies had good soil for planting.

Jamestown colony and Plymouth colony have are two similar colonies but at the same time are so very different. One similarity is that each colony had a large number of deaths after winter. One difference is that Plymouth colony had a good relationship with the Native Americans and Jamestown didn't have a good relationships with them. A second difference is that the two colonies came for different reasons.

The two colonies differed politically. “God Almighty in his most holy and wise providence hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, [that]in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, other mean and in subjection” (Doc. A).The New England colony was a representative democracy; they held town meetings. It placed emphasize on having poor and rich families because of the importance of an equal society with representation from all sectors of life. “We intend by God's grace, as soon as we can, with all convenient speed, to procure some Godly and faithful minister with whom we purpose to join in church covenant to walk in all the ways of Christ” (Doc. D).