Chesapeake Colonies Dbq Essay

Throughout the 17th century, the newly settled colonies in North America continued to identify themselves as Europeans. But as colonial expansion progressed they assumed different identities. By the 1700’s, the typical religious spirit and family oriented lifestyle in New England set itself apart from the Chesapeake region, whose fertile land and extended growing season attracted a distinct group of diverse settlers who had different political ideas about government. These unique societies had different reasons for coming to the new world as well. The New England and the Chesapeake regions differ in social, economic, and geographical aspects. The Individuals who settled the Chesapeake region were prompted by the rumors of gold and quick wealth, whereas the New England puritans fled the “The Protestant reform” in order to
Farming was a profitable industry in this region, especially near rivers where mass production of cash crops such as tobacco or rice was possible. On the Contrary, the climate in New England was less favorable to the mass production of staple products; however their diversified industry included small farms, cod fishing, and the production of nutmeg. The continental climate in New England made the spread of diseases difficult which in turn increased the life expectancy of citizens in this region, especially in men. In contrast, diseases were more commonly spread based on the climate of the Chesapeake. As a result, fewer families were able to grow and the lower life expectancy rate lead to more women’s property rights because of an increase in widows. These women’s property rights were not present in the north where families were present. Due to the abundance of large plantations and demand for cash crops, it became necessary to use indentured servants and slaves to profit and introduce mass production. Slaves and indentured servants were not necessary in the New