Compare And Contrast The Massachusetts Colonies

The Virginia and New England colonists struggled to adapt to the radically different conditions of their new environments. However, that is where the similarities between the two seem to end. Both colonies boasted different economies, political systems, societies and cultures, which place them at opposite ends of the colonial spectrum.

Being amongst the first thirteen colonies in North America, it would be assumed that there were a vast amount of similarities amongst all of the colonies. Due to every exploring the land, most would think that they would have to rely on the information that they heard from people who had previously colonized the new land. Instead and due to different motives for the land, there ended up being more similarities than differences for many of the colonies. Two of the colonies that show more differences than similarities are Virginia and Massachusetts. In the 17th Century, there were more differences in the demographic statistics and economy than there were similarities amongst the two colonies, but similar to all the eleven colonies in the nation during the time period a similarity shared between the Virginia and Massachusetts was the economical use of slaves.

One being their religions, in Jamestown they were Anglican, whereas in Mass. they were Puritan (Stokely). There is also the difference of geographic location. Massachusetts is located in the north where there are harsher weather conditions. Their location provided an excellent harbor and since the terrain did not allow much farming they started lumbering, shipbuilding, fishing, and trade. Virginia, in the south, where there is a much warmer climate, they had a great defensive position and were able to create prosperous plantations (Levy). The settlement in Massachusetts was made up of communities of family units because the colonists of Mass. came with their families (Sonia). Furthermore, the colonists of Jamestown were made up of individuals who understood the value of the crop tobacco, and were only there for the money. Virginia had an economy based on plantations and labor; Massachusetts was comprised of small farmers and merchants (“Instructions for the Virginia

The New England and Southern colonial regions have many similarities and differences in their geography. The New England colonial region has mountains formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. This caused the soil to very rocky and difficult for farming. On the other hand, the Southern region had plains and rich, fertile soil. This allowed the South to create large plantations (doc 6). Even though they had differences, they similarly had a long Atlantic coastline. As a reso create large plantation , the geography of the colonial regions impacted the economy and culture of the Thirteen Colonies.

New England and The Middle Colonies may be considered the two most prestigious and developed societies in the British colonies. They were categorized by religion, education, and population growth. New England consisted of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut while the Middle Colonies were made up of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. Although the two regions were the pinnacle of society in the New World, they were very different in how they went about accomplishing this. New England is viewed as more of a rigid society while the Middle colonies were less controlling but in turn less safe.

In the late 16th century, European nations were notorious for colonizing other nations. Their main motivation was seeking wealth in terms of valuable minerals, land to perform agriculture, and an additional market for their products. America, which was newly discovered at the time, did not escape their eyes. Of all the European nations, the British sent numerous groups on an expedition to the east coast of the Americas to establish colonies. The colonies expanded along the shoreline of the east coast of the Americas and grew to consist of four regions. Chesapeake and New England were among the two colonies, and they exhibited some similarities and differences.

The New England colonies were situated along the upper northeastern side of the states ( Maine, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Plymouth, and Connecticut) while the Chesapeake colonies were more down south (Virginia, Maryland etc). New England colonists had a longer life expectancy than their Chesapeake counterparts because of geographical reasons and harsh winters. Chesapeake colonies had very little diversity in the kind of people it brought over many were young men ranging in their 20s to 30s and a few aristocrats. New England settlers came over in family groups had a wide range of people from young children to old men and women. Slavery though not as prominent in the New England colonies was a saving grace in the Chesapeake colonies who used

The first colonies that were first established In America have many similarities as they have differences and how the people that previously inhibited it. Colonies like French, The Carolinas, New England, and The Pacific all have a characteristic that relates to our present-day.

When Columbus made his discovery of the New World, he was introduced to new land which needed a lot of improvements either economically, socially, or religiously. The Old and New World eventually collided and Europe knew this was their opportunity to get what they wanted and to improve their nation and knew this was their opportunity to further the nation by expanding through colonization. Mainly the settlers came to the New World for gold which lead to the first settlement in Jamestown in 1607. About a decade later, they founded the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts. The development of Massachusetts and Virginia prior to 1700s were different because Virginia was founded for economic reasons and Massachusetts was founded for religious reasons yet they are similar because they wanted improve their lives without having any conflictions.

After the discovery of the New World, countries raced to expand their empires into the Western Hemisphere. Two countries that were dominating the Americas were Spain and Portugal. These countries were gaining much wealth and power from the New World, and it resulted in an economic boom in both empires. This encouraged other countries, like France and, especially, Britain to join in the competition. Britain joined the quest for land in the New World because they sought to expand their empire, and compete with the growing powers of Spain and Portugal. Britain quickly took the lead in the Western Hemisphere by conquering land from Natives along the eastern coast of North America. Soon, Britain was developing colonies all over the East Coast. Two regions in particular that Britain was controlling was the New England and Chesapeake areas. Prior to 1700, New England attracted many families to settle there, while Chesapeake attracted more men, New England was founded because of religious reasons, while in the Chesapeake, they first were searching for gold. Although they had differences, both New England and Chesapeake colonies had conflict with the Natives, and they both had internal struggles between the poor and the rich.

The first two colonies to be successfully established in what would become the United States of America were the Colony of Virginia and the Colony of Massachusetts. The Colony of Virginia was established first, in 1607, under James I with the London Company. Later in 1620, Pilgrims established the Colony of Massachusetts under the Plymouth Company to escape the ways of England while under the Church of England. While both colonies found success, Massachusetts’ was greater. The criterion used to make this assessment was the ability for the economy to boom without heavy use of slave labor.

As the Jamestown Colony and Massachusetts Bay Colony developed, they both influenced how the thirteen colonies would eventually evolve. Jamestown was the first permanent settlement which laid down the foundation for exploration by John Smith. This exploration was essential to their survival and opened the door for business adventures. The colonies provided a way to ease England’s overpopulation, satisfy religious dissatisfaction, and make money.

The most obvious thing the Massachusetts and Virginia colonies had in common was the time period they were established. Also, another common interest they both had was motive. Although they were different motives, they were both greatly influenced by them in coming to the "New World." Both colonies had few setbacks they had to face during the beginning of their establishments. Lastly, both colonies wanted a government to have order within them.

The four colonies of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Pennsylvania all had different religious and political developments, which led some to complete freedom and others to light toleration. Massachusetts was founded by Puritans, who allowed believers and nonbelievers to live in the colony. While this may seem like complete religious freedom, it is not; the non-Puritans were forced to pay taxes for the government-supported church. In addition, the Puritans made strict rules to enforce “God’s laws” and forced all people to follow these religious restrictions, such as no public displays of affection. In contrast to Massachusetts, Rhode Island offered complete religious freedom to every colonist.

Colonial America; it was the best of times but it was the worst of times. During the (not so) wonderful period of colonial America in 1492- 1763 each colony had different things that separated it from the rest. Whether they were Southern Colonies or New England colonies they all had an asset that defined them. South Carolina and Massachusetts are great examples of this, both colonies were different and played different roles in colonial America yet had some similarities. The colonies of South Carolina and Massachusetts had differing geographies that influenced each colony, had differing political and economic systems that helped promote alliances to an extent, and played certain roles in the American Revolution.