Chesapeake Colonies Dbq Analysis

Primarily, the main reason for prodigious differentiation between New England and the Chesapeake region at the start of their existence was the separate intentions of the leaders of the two. The reasons why these colonists traveled to America led to the development of two different societies from the colonial period up until 1700. Factors sprouting from these intentions include social factors, political factors, and economic factors. These factors and motives are the basis of the two different lifestyles of people who were once, and would eventually be, of the same culture; of the same civilization. First and foremost, the piety of settlers of New England was the beginning of an inevitable dissimilarity among the two. These were people
that had been persecuted because of their Catholicism when they were in England (after King George had separated from the Church of England). Their religious motives created a simple, however assiduous, lifestyle. They believed they were God's chosen people to be a "city upon a hill" (Doc. A); a model nation for other nations of the world to follow. These so called Puritans believed that any lazy hands were those of one who had befriended the devil. Puritans of New England believed every man was created equal. Because of these principles, slavery was not worthy in New England and it was not uncommon for one to do his own work. This significant belief is one of the many elements that sets New England apart from the Chesapeake region. The people of the Chesapeake region were extremely supportive of slavery. In this way, New Englanders and the people of the Chesapeake region were different socially. Secondly, the economy of New England and the Chesapeake region was another contrasting factor between the two that led to the almost total incomparability of the two areas.
The Chesapeake's focus was mainly economic gain. The people of New England believed that everyone was entitled to "a convenient proportion for a house lot" (Doc. D). On the contrary, Chesapeake's were constantly worried about economic inequalities. They were always concerned about the disappearance of the public's money. In Bacon's "Manifesto" he stated that he public's finances had been "contrived away by unworthy favorites and juggling parasites" (Doc. H); Bacon uses this to justify his rebellion against Virginia Governor Berkeley in 1676. Even on John Smith's ship set for Virginia, there were sailors who's main reason was to seek gold. Among them "there was no talk…but [to] dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, [and] load gold" (Doc. F). This shows the avariciousness of some New Englanders. Rebellions were almost unheard of in New England because the people lived an economically peaceful life, where everyone was a farmer, and everyone could have "a share of the meadow or planting ground" (Doc. D). They rarely ever worried about financial troubles; and if in the slight chance that there were people who were more profitable than others, laborers, artisans, and tradesmen were assured that "receiving such moderate profit [would] enable them to serve God" (Doc. E). Rebellions and such, or lack thereof, effected the lifestyles of Chesapeake and New England and elongated their apparent
differences. Political differences played an essential role in the difference in the emergence among the Chesapeake region and New England. Governor Berkeley, of Virginia, identified his own people with "many servants…" and "men much in debt" (Doc. G). He believed his people were not good enough for combat in war. This clearly shows his belief in social order. On the other hand, John Winthrop, of Massachusetts, preached against social order. He was strictly against political puissance among the few and worked diligently to keep a sense of equality among his people. Undoubtedly, from the very beginning, New England and the Chesapeake region were bound to be different. Even the population made this evident. People heading for New England from the very beginning were families (Doc. B) while people heading for the Chesapeake region were mostly male (Doc. C). It wasn't for a long while females were asked to join their male companions in the Chesapeake region. Unquestionably, this greatly assisted family-oriented New England. It was mainly the motives of the colonists that made these areas so different. From these motives sprung the social, economic, and political differences of New England and the Chesapeake region. Although they were able to unite later on, one could've bet that this would never happen.