From the time each ship set off from England, both the New England and Chesapeake colonies were bound to be different. In the Chesapeake region, where Jamestown was founded, the people had unrealistic expectations. They hoped that gold would be plentiful and easy to find, while also expecting the Native Americans to bow to their wishes. Contrary to their wishes, there was no gold to be found, and the Native Americans became less pleasant as the English became lazier.
Believing that they were superior to the Native Americans, the English refused to grow crops, and expected the Native Americans to supply it all, creating rising tensions among them. On the opposite view, the settlers of the New England region had no such hopes. They set out from England to practice their religion more freely. John Winthrop had this idea of a “City on a hill” believing that the people of New England should show England itself how they should live, surrounded by their religion.
In fact, upon arriving in New England, the puritans made their Mayflower Compact which allowed them to create their own government. Coming from this compact, the puritans also created the Covenant of Grace, which was to live scandal free and prove scriptural knowledge, and the Social Covenant, which was amongst the people, requiring a mutual watchfulness and no privacy. Unlike the Chesapeake colonies, the New England colonies also came with a family basis, while the Chesapeake colonies came with few women, making it hard to keep up their population.
The Essay on Migrated To New England Chesapeake Colonies Men
The English Colonies During the 17 th century, Europeans had unquestionably come to North America to stay, a fact that signaled major changes for the people of both hemispheres. At first, the English sought to benefit from the New Found land by trading across the continents, but later many English people decided to migrate to North America. Unlike other Europeans, the English transferred their ...
At the very beginning, these colonies were destined to be completely different. Although their original beliefs in coming to the colonies were different, the governments that were created were even farther from each other. In the New England colonies, the church was so ingrained in the community, that the ministers were also considered their political leaders. These ministers were considered to be the watchful eye of God, and whatever they said was believed to be the truth.
The people who were considered to be saved, the saints, were the men who elected the ministers and a board of elders to handle finances. Due to the fact that the church had so much power, the colonies themselves were small – “little commonwealths”. Completely opposite, the Chesapeake colonies had a political system known as the House of Burgesses. I this political system, the people elected their leaders, and from there the government would make the rules and laws. Although it seemed very self-governing, the House of Burgesses only made simple laws, while England still held most of the power.
So while similar that their governments attempted to stray from England, the Chesapeake colonies were still forced to abide by English rule. Similar to the political systems, the social and economic systems also differed greatly in New England and the Chesapeake colonies. In the beginning, the English men came to the Chesapeake region in search of gold. After they found none, they resorted to cash crops. Tobacco became an important part of the economic system, bringing the men money. As the demand for tobacco increased, the need for workers also increased.
At first indentured servants were used. These men were sent from England with a promise of land if they worked for 5-7 years. Few, if any men lived to earn their own property. Eventually slaves were introduced, and the men no longer had to offer that tantalizing promise of land. Due to the fact that land was such an important piece of life, the men of property were held in very high esteem, and played an important role in both the social and economic part of the Chesapeake colonies everyday life.
The Essay on A Merican Colonies England Chesapeake Bay
The Early American colonies We have been one nation for so long that it is hard to imagine a major difference between the thirteen original colonies. After all a quick glance at a map of these thirteen original colonies will tell you that they all where established along the East Coast and where most generally located on a river or body of water. What is strange about this is just how different ...
Contrary to this life in the Chesapeake colonies, the New England colonies were based on religion. Therefore, only the ministers and saints were held above others until slaves were introduced. Also, since the land was so rocky, there was only simple farming. Many people took on other careers such as fishermen and merchants. Also there was a lot more property available than in the Chesapeake region, and when people did work for others, they received fair wages.
While the Chesapeake colonies struggled in their economic and social situation, the New England colonies thrived, at least for a time. Since, these colonies origins both go back to England, it might be expected that they would end up similarly, but contrary to that belief, they evolved into completely different societies. From the very beginning they were bound to different fates, which could be seen progressively as their governments, social, and economic systems formed. Although very different, these two regions left their mark on the slowly evolving world.
