Honors US History I
July 7, 2011
Essay Question: #3 Compare and contrast the different ways in which economic development affected politics in Massachusetts and Virginia in the period from 1607 to 1750.
From all of the colonies that resulted from European expansion and
conquest, perhaps the two most famous would be those of Virginia and
Massachusetts. The economic development of Massachusetts and Virginia
started in the same period of time but had many differences between them.
Each was established by the similar groups of people but they had different
beginnings, also a different view on religion, and different means economic
stability, which created two different politics and economic systems.
The
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The
most obvious difference between the colonies was the religion. The Puritans
believed in self-control and no need for “excessive” profits. Virginia had
problems with embezzling, overcharging, and the use of company laborers.
The second difference between the colonies was the Native American
relations. Virginia had problems with natives from the start. Massachusetts
learned the best ways to survive in the area by watching and having good
relationships with the natives. The third difference was the urban life. Both
societies were impacted with an increase in immigrants, creating a
competition for work. Boston was the worst and people looked to the
community for help. In conclusion, all of the differences resulted in two
economic systems that were successful, but very different.
Both Virginia and Massachusetts had the same goal of colonial
success and stability but their ways about securing the stability and gaining
economic success and wealth reflected their previous established “morals
and values”. The first difference was the establishment of plantations.
Virginia began to establish plantations for tobacco and Massachusetts was a
seaport. Both began to suffer from the increase of immigrants, which
Evaluate the relative importance of the following as factors prompting Americans to rebel in 1776:
Topic: For the period before 1750, analyze the ways in which Britain’s policy of “Salutary Neglect” influenced the development of American society as illustrated in the following: Legislative assemblies, commerce, religion.
Compare the ways in which religion shaped the development of colonial society (to 1740) in TWO of the following regions: New England
In the 1630's and the 1640's, the Puritans traveled to the colonies to detach from their opinion of a convoluted Church of England. They set up towns and started new lives that were all based on their idea of a pure religion. The Puritan's definition of a pure religion did not include many of the ideas of the Church of England. They built the colonies and made a system based upon the idea that God was the most important aspect of life. Puritan ideas and values influenced the political, economic, and social development of the New England colonies from 1630 through the 1660’s by spreading their beliefs into every facet of daily life. Politically their ideas regarding what was considered sinful behavior and how power was separated among the
During the 17th and 18th century, English residents felt that England was over-crowded and intolerable. They wanted to lessen these problems that rose up because of the large population increase and to establish more religious freedom (Horn). The English believed that the best way to go about this was to colonize the New World. Subsequently, many colonies began to develop, and of these colonies, Massachusetts Bay and Virginia were the most well-known. The early settlements of Massachusetts and Virginia were both established by similar groups of people at the same time; furthermore, their contrasting beginnings as a colony, views on religion, and method of economic stability all contributed to our American heritage today.
In the New World, various resources, climates, and considerable amounts of land allowed numerous opportunities for settlers. Those who once yearned to climb the social ladder or gain the freedoms bestowed from land ownership flocked toward the newfound settlements. Colonization proved to be a grueling task; however, success was found after adapting to the new environment and facing many hardships. Two colonies established early in the seventeenth century included Virginia and New England. Both Virginia and New England were forerunning settlements that differed in the following senses: political, social, and economical.
During the 1600s when England began colonizing in the New World, different colonies had their own concept of freedom backed by their beliefs and/ or motives for settling in America. Massachusetts and Virginia were settled for very different reasons therefore life in their settlements differed greatly. The political, economic, social and of course physical aspects of the colonies were not at all the same, yet they both resulted in their colonies prospering and successfully settling the land. The settlers of each colony had searched for a place to express two contrasting beliefs of what freedom meant to them. Massachusetts and Virginia are two prime examples of how freedom can mean something
We are going to start discussing the economic aspect of both colonies, it is important to note that the economic activities and trade of each colony depended on the environment in which the settlers lived. Geography and climate were important factors that impacted the economic and commercial activities between New England colonies and Southern colonies because these depended on the environment.
* Which industry sparked the New England economy at the end of the 17th century? Who was unhappy with the success of that industry, and why?
During colonial times, European nations quickly colonized the New World years after Columbus’ so called discovery. England in particular sent out a number of groups to the east coast of the New World to two regions. These areas were the New England and the Chesapeake regions. Later in the late 1700s, these two regions would go though many conflicts to come together as one nation. Yet, way before that would occur; these two areas developed into two distinct societies. These differences affected the colonies socially, economically, and politically.
• Class system, those that were upper class or a minister received better land and status in community.
In the early 1800s, America changed in a lot of ways in a short amount of time. The change that occurred was, for the most part, the result of the industrial development. The industrial advancements in the early 1800s had a huge amount of consequences, both positive and negative. But the industrial development from 1800 to 1860 affected the North and the South in hugely different ways. The prominent differences eventually caused an amazing amount of tension between the two regions as they moved in completely separate directions. Mainly, the North and the South differentiated when it came to cultures, economies, and political views.
For the people of Europe the Americas was a place to prosper, worship in there own way, and expand there kingdoms. The only problem is that they attempted to settle in their own way and all failed dismally. The New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Colonies grew differently in various ways, but each with the same state of mind, “do it our way”. Examining the three sets of colonies will prove that they were all different in religion, government, and ways of expansion.
3. In what respects was colonial Virginia an aristocratic society? In what respects was it democratic?
The economy of the Chesapeake and New England were both directly affected by their geographical locations and surroundings. The Chesapeake colonies were very rich and fertile in soil, which allowed them to develop an agricultural-based economy; whereas, the New England colonies were