1993 Dbq New England vs. Chesapeake Essay Example
1993 Dbq New England vs. Chesapeake Essay Example

1993 Dbq New England vs. Chesapeake Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1017 words)
  • Published: October 8, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper
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The New England and Chesapeake regions, although originated from the same English background, took separate paths by 1700. Each region faced unique challenges and circumstances, leading them to reevaluate and reconstruct their societies. Consequently, the dissimilarities in motivation, geography, and government between New England and Chesapeake resulted in significant divergence in their development. As these regions expanded and progressed, their settlement motives played a crucial role in shaping their societies. New England provided a refuge for those fleeing religious persecution and became a sanctuary for religious refugees. Despite this settlement purpose, New Englanders aimed to propagate their own religious beliefs.

According to John Winthrop's Model of a Christian Charity, he preached to his fellow colonists that they would become a "city upon a hill" (Doc A), representing the Puritans' goal of c

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reating a Holy Utopia. The belief was that everyone needed to work together and be committed to their community and God's work (Doc D). In contrast, the people of the Chesapeake region were focused not just on religious freedom but also on materialistic pursuits, as described in Captain John Smith's account of the History of Virginia, where the primary concern was finding and obtaining gold (Doc F).

The main purpose of colonists coming to the Chesapeake region was to increase their wealth. The Chesapeake region attracted a diverse range of immigrants, primarily young men looking for economic opportunities (Doc C). However, the differing motivations for settlement between New England and the Chesapeake led to the development of distinct societies. Although both colonies were located in Eastern America, the local geography played a role in shaping their expansion. New England was known for its harsh climate, with

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harsh winters and hot summers. The infertile soil in New England made it difficult for European immigrants to engage in agriculture, forcing them to rely on livestock. They also criticized the indigenous Indians for not fully utilizing the scarce arable land available (Source).

New Englanders utilized as much land as possible to ensure that everyone had a share of the meadow or planting ground. They believed it was their responsibility to clear woodlands and establish settlements. In contrast, they focused on fishing rather than farming, constructing harbors along the coastline. On the other hand, the people of the Chesapeake region took advantage of their fertile soil and primarily cultivated tobacco, which proved to be highly profitable. Consequently, the Chesapeake area experienced a surge in the number of indentured servants and slaves brought in to manage tobacco production. This increase was driven by young landowners who sought to expand their wealth and land through the Headright system.

Due to the significance of land for power in the Chesapeake region, a strict social hierarchy was established, creating a stark contrast with the society in New England. These differences were influenced by the positive and negative impacts of geography on each region. The Chesapeake region faced additional challenges due to natural factors. Diseases like dysentery, malaria, and typhoid severely affected the people, significantly reducing their life expectancy. As health is a crucial concern for a growing colony, the presence of diseases tends to have a detrimental effect on the morale of the town.

The Chesapeake region experienced high mortality due to disease, particularly affecting women. This resulted in a lack of women and children immigrating to the area, leaving many

men frustrated and without hope for starting families (Doc C,F). In contrast, New England had better health conditions and was not as affected by disease. The cleaner environment contributed to a longer life expectancy for colonists. Consequently, many English emigrants moved to New England with their entire families, as seen in Document B: "Joseph Hull... Agnes Hull, his wife... Joan Hull, his daughter... Joseph Hull, his son". Unlike Chesapeake children who were fortunate to have both parents alive, New England children had the opportunity to see both their parents and even their grandparents.

The longevity of the parents resulted in higher literacy rates among adults and a flourishing education system. One major factor that set apart the New England region from the Chesapeake was their respective forms of government. Politics plays a crucial role in any society as it prevents complete chaos. Nonetheless, the governing systems differed due to unique circumstances. The New England region prioritized religious freedom in its government.

The living conditions of people were improved because they would not face religious persecution. The government of the New England area demonstrated their commitment to equality by enacting the Articles of Agreement and the Wage and Prices Regulations, which aimed at fair treatment, regardless of wealth or status (Doc A,E). However, in the Chesapeake region, the Protestant government was intolerant and security was a constant concern. The Governor of Virginia, William Berkeley, failed to respond to Indian attacks, which increased vulnerability. This situation made many men apprehensive, as they had to leave their farms in the possession of their slaves to protect the border (Doc G). Single landowners were especially worried about their own well-being as

they were forced to protect the region at the expense of their land and finances. Additionally, there was widespread disunity in the Chesapeake region. Nathaniel Bacon believed that the government's efforts in public work were insufficient.

According to Document H, Bacon demonstrated the importance of safety, defense, and trade advancement. He emphasized that the colonists had always behaved civilly and peacefully, distinguishing themselves from rebels. However, in 1676, the frustration of the colonists reached a breaking point. Bacon and a group of one thousand Virginians rebelled and successfully overthrew the governor, leading to the event known as Bacon's Rebellion.

Shortly after the rebellion, Bacon passed away, and Governor Berkeley returned and ruthlessly defeated the outlaws. As colonies of the British Empire, both the New England and Chesapeake regions were populated by countless English immigrants. Despite this shared characteristic, these two areas differed significantly from each other. New England fostered a more tolerant and communal society, whereas the Chesapeake region prioritized personal wealth and land acquisition. Although both regions were influenced by Britain, their distinct circumstances led to separate and distinctive developments.

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