Southern Colonies Characteristics

Colonies in the North and South were adversely affected by differences in climate and geography which shaped the political, economic, religious, and social developments in these regions and the future nation they would become. Tobacco cultivation was a large factor of society in the south around which many aspects of civilization developed. It was the primary crop grown in the south because of its ability to grow in the Chesapeake soil. The intense physical labor required of southern famers led to the popularization of indentured servitude as a cheap supply of labor. The desire to invest in cheap labor inhibited any mature forms of settlement, instead farmers, even the wealthy, usually slept in primitive housing consisting of tents and shanties
Women in the southern colonies were especially susceptible to malaria during pregnancy which made gender ratios off balance at a scale of three men for every one woman. The status of women was, consequently, much higher than that in many other cultures around the world because of their demand and the necessity of men to wed. Unwed and widowed women were prized and suited; moreover, women gained the right to remarry, own property sometimes, and choose their husband, a choice not excessively common in the world in the Colonial era. With mortality rates so high, the traditional family structure gave way to extended families of many stepfathers, stepmothers, stepsisters, and stepbrothers. Such conditions destabilized the community as churches and schools became almost obsolete without a steady population. The southern colonies, due to disease, become an immigrant region instead of one with a steady population of settled families. This condition thus perpetuates an immature frontier society which cannot establish decent housing conditions or population. It is for this reason that the south never attracted any educated and experienced political leaders from Europe who would institute traditional societal institutions like a general assembly or introduce economic stability. Further proof of the dysfunctional frontier culture
Less commercial appeal, like that of the land grants given in the south, helped keep New England far less dense and thus less ridden with disease than the south of which it was the population density that led to outbreak of malaria and dysentery. Moreover, the north had a more diverse and nutritious diet, including corn, bread and fish, than the tobacco growing south. In direct relation to these factors is the fact that 90% of all offspring in the north lived long enough to reproduce themselves. All of this led to the formation of traditional families, mature housing accommodations, and a more stable economy. This in turn facilitated the growth of communities including churches and schools. Furthermore, the academic nature of the Puritan religion in England and the growth of church members in New England attracted educated political leaders that were well versed in western politics. Such politicians would organize the people and provide institutions such as a legislative body or local town assembly where the people would be able to govern themselves. Thus, it is due to these overwhelmingly optimistic establishments that the population growth has traveled so steadily upwards. In comparison to the southern colonies’ population decline, New England’s population grew from 25,000 immigrants to