Colonial Dbq

Because of original settling purpose, types of government, and family life, New England and the Chesapeake region evolved into two very distinct societies, even though they were both settled by people of English origin. They gradually began to develop their own style of living and working, which can be clearly traced back to the reasons listed above.

The first source of difference between New England and the Chesapeake region was their original purpose of settlement. In New England, people emigrated from England mainly for religious purposes. Puritans came to the New World in order to be able to practice their religion freely. The Articles of Agreement from Springfield Massachusetts say "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." Since this was in the original agreement made by the founding members of Springfield, it is clear that their religious beliefs were important to them, and a main reason for settlement. In the Chesapeake region, there was a much different reason for settlement, and that was economic gain. The financial backers of the Chesapeake plantations cared only about the amount of profit they could make, and so this in turn encouraged the southern colonies to develop into very business oriented and harsh places. Because of their original difference in purpose the colonies of New England and the colonies of the Chesapeake region developed into two very distinct places.

Another reason that New England and the Chesapeake region developed into two distinct places was because of the type of leadership and organized government that was present. In New England, the leader of a colony was general the spiritual leader of the people as well. Because of this, they were more readily listened to, and the colonies became tightly knit under their authority. The leaders were able to claim that they had some form of divine authority, so whatever they said was generally accepted by the people. In the Chesapeake region however, it was the rich that basically bought the right to rule. As is said in Bacon's "Manifesto", "what sponges have sucked up the public treasure... ... it has been privately contrived away by unworthy favorites and juggling parasites whose tottering fortunes have been repaired and supported at the public charge." The wealthy elitists set the laws, and forced the lower class workers to follow them. This lead to dissent among the lower classes, and led to uprising such as Bacon's rebellion. New England colonies had an air of community to them, since "everyone shall have a share of the meadow or planting ground." (Document D). The Chesapeake region was filled with wealthy land owners setting regulations that benefitted them and not caring about the common workers.

Another factor that