We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you’re on board with our cookie policy

Two Distinct Societies: Chesapeake and New England

essay
The whole doc is available only for registered users

A limited time offer! Get a custom sample essay written according to your requirements urgent 3h delivery guaranteed

Order Now

Although people from England settled in the Chesapeake and New England area, the regions evolved into two distinct societies due to their differences in religion, politics, and especially, economies by 1700. The religion of the Chesapeake and New England areas differed. Because New Englanders came to escape religious persecution, one would think that it would become a land of complete tolerance. This was not the case, though. The New Englanders were very religious-based, and considered themselves to be “God’s providence” (Doc. D). Religion was family-based and with extreme piety. In the Chesapeake, religion was much less severe. The established church was the Anglican Church, but only became so after 1692. The religious tone was low-church, and many people (mostly slaves) did not participate in the Anglican Church. The varying political systems created in the New England and Chesapeake regions also defined a clear separation between the two areas.

When settlers arrived in New England, organized systems of government were immediately established, due to the Puritans extreme effort and dedication to a stable society. The Chesapeake region, however, lacked the sense of unity and togetherness that was vital in keeping a stable political system in New England. Leaders in the Chesapeake were often considered “vile commanders…with their golden promises made all men their slaves” (Doc. F) The structured rule of New England clashed greatly with the disorganized ways of the Chesapeake. The New England and Chesapeake regions differed economically as well. The Puritan work ethic played a major factor in the economic life of the New England colonists. Northern colonists withheld that they were “engaged together to make a plantation” (Doc. D), further emphasizing the importance of unity, diversity and class equality in the North.

In the Chesapeake, the class difference between rich and poorer plantation owners was quite obvious because often poorer plantation owners were forced to become “squatters” and live on the fringes of the settlement due to the dropping prices of cash crops such as tobacco and indigo. This class separation between rich and poor was not as obvious in the North, as the Puritan belief forced everyone to not “enrich themselves suddenly and inordinately” (Doc. E). Thus, the varying economics theories of the New England and Chesapeake colonies created more distinction between the two regions. In conclusion, the varying lifestyles of the settlers of New England and those of the Chesapeake created a noticeable difference between the two regions even the columnists migrated from the same country. Many New Englanders had their religion strongly rooted in the Puritan faith, creating a more unifying and diverse political and economic system. Settlers in the Chesapeake arrived in America hoping to gain profit from the land. In the end, this resulted in obvious differences between the North and Chesapeake colonies.

Related Topics

We can write a custom essay

According to Your Specific Requirements

Order an essay
icon
300+
Materials Daily
icon
100,000+ Subjects
2000+ Topics
icon
Free Plagiarism
Checker
icon
All Materials
are Cataloged Well

Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website. If you need this or any other sample, we can send it to you via email.

By clicking "SEND", you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We'll occasionally send you account related and promo emails.
Sorry, but only registered users have full access

How about getting this access
immediately?

Your Answer Is Very Helpful For Us
Thank You A Lot!

logo

Emma Taylor

online

Hi there!
Would you like to get such a paper?
How about getting a customized one?

Can't find What you were Looking for?

Get access to our huge, continuously updated knowledge base

The next update will be in:
14 : 59 : 59