Virginia Colonies

During the seventeenth century, colonial America was welcoming many newcomers, several from England. Quantities of these newcomers were seeking land for economic purposes as others were longing for religious toleration. Many of the English colonists settled in the New England region for religious freedoms, to escape the English king, and leave adversaries of other religions behind. Settlers who resided in the Middle Atlantic region were affected differently. Although the Middle Atlantic was more

One of the major causes for emigration from England to North America was religious persecution. Religious tolerance in Britain for other Christian sects besides the Anglican church was virtually nonexistent, resulting in many members of other sects to seek religious haven in the colonies. The vast majority of immigrants coming to New England were followers of

The Massachusetts Bay colony and Virginia had a sundry amount of differences as well as similarities. Each of these colonies was founded upon different ways of living. Digging deeper, there are many more differences about these colonies than there are similarities. Although both colonies eventually experienced the help of the natives, each colony set separate rules and laws for themselves. Virginia is more geographically spread out and more focused on obtaining gold for personal profit, whereas Massachusetts is more of a united, small farmed colony that focused more on the efforts for religious freedom.

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.

The seventeenth century brought plenty of changes to North America. One of the most significant ones was the formation of the thirteen colonies along the North American east coast. These colonies are generally divided into New England, Middle and South or the Chesapeake regions. Most of these colonies were settled by the British, yet they developed differently as the years went by. Some developed into more egalitarian colonies and some not. The greatest differences could be seen in the New England and Chesapeake regions. Even though the New England and Chesapeake regions were settled originally by The British, they had their own differences which were influenced by many of factors, including the reasons they were founded, their social

The people of the New England and Chesapeake colonies, although came from the same people, turned into very different cultures. For example, in New England, Puritanism was favored while in the Chesapeake region Christianity was practiced. Often times, religion would dictate a certain peoples way of life. Although both religions were strict, both had different ideas. Also, there were disagreements that occurred between the people within a colony. Many other ways of life were established in each of these areas independent of each other.

Virginia had many failures and close calls, while Massachusetts had successful first settlements, smart decisions regarding food and planning made this possible. In 1607 colonist landed on the banks of Jamestown Virginia only to be greeted by disease causing mosquitoes. Did not had good leadership until John Smith and John Rolfe, while Massachusetts had John Winthrop who developed the settlement with success. The settlers of Virginia had The Jamestown Nightmare. Many people died looking for gold and not learning how to use the land for survival. The Gentlemen would not work themselves resulting in Settlers dyeing by the dozens. Because the laws of primogeniture, many young gentlemen in the English colonies had to make their own fortune. John Rolfe implemented, “If You Don’t Work…You Don’t Eat.” Massachusetts was started by John Winthrop. The differences in the settlements upbringings were not the only difference, their views on religion helped shape the economy of both settlements. Virginia and Massachusetts both realized that they needed to have a strong economy, but their views on religion versus profit differed and resulted in different systems. Massachusetts was a safe haven for Catholics; Massachusetts learned the best way to survive in the area was by watching and interacting with the natives. John Winthrop stated, “We shall be a city upon a hill.” This was going to be a holy city.

In the early 17th century, English countries were looking for new land to control. This was due to overpopulation and a dearth food supply. The British needed a new place to claim as their own so they could accommodate their ever-growing populace and after Christopher Columbus expedited North American exploration of the Eastern world, many citizens shipped off to form the Jamestown colony in 1607, marking the beginning of an exploration era. By the end of the seventeenth century, as many as 295,000 people shipped off to the Atlantic coast of North America (Pursuit of Happiness). As the colonists expanded past Jamestown, there were noticeable differences in the two areas were colonists lived. They developed differently through the century because the contrasting foundations they were morally different. The New Englanders fixated on seeking personal piety and a strong community while the Southern colonies' motives predicated mercantilism.

In the 1700’s England was suffering financially which then was effecting people socially. During this time people were also getting persecuted for what they believed in. These are some of the reasons of why people in England wanted to immigrate to the New World in the 1700’s. After people immigrated two main areas came about the Chesapeake area followed by New England. Although these areas were close they were very distinct societies. The reasons for these different societies were the religions practiced in them, the reasons for immigrating there, and the groups of people who immigrated there.

The English Colonies were developed for cultural reasons even before they left England, they were finding a haven for their religion. They were also established for a profit as in the case of Virginia, the main reason it became a permanent colony was because it was a good area for tobacco. The Appalachians prevented the colonists from moving into the Ohio River valley.

DBQ 1: The Transformation of Colonial Virginia During the seventeenth century European countries had spread out across North America and one Colony developed by England was the Virginia Colony. Virginia experienced many problems and hardships along the way and the development of a civilized way of life in the new colony was not as easy as they thought it would be. Problems that occurred that caused a great deal of these hardships were disease, famine, and dispute with the Native Americans.

Since the early 17th century, the English migrated to America for a variety of reasons. The promise of treasure, religious tolerance, and plentiful lands, lured gold-seekers, Puritans, Protestants, unemployed farmers, indentured servants, and younger sons (who had fallen victim to laws of primogeniture), to the land mistakenly named the Indies. English migration to the Chesapeake region spread over nearly a century, whereas voyagers to New England arrived within a single decade. One would think that since the English settled both of these regions, both of their societies would develop quite similarly, but one could not be more wrong. The variations of the societies that developed in the Chesapeake region and the New England region

During the early 1600s, England became a major world player when it began to establish colonies in the Americas. England was influenced after the Spanish voyages and colonies in the New World. The New England and Chesapeake colonies were established during the early 1600s. Despite the population originating from England, the regions had distinct societies. This was due to the fact that many settlers voyaged to the New World in search of riches, to seek new lives, or for religious freedom; these colonies would differ socially, economically, and politically.

With the colonization of the New World came financial, religious, and strategic opportunities. England answered this call in various ways as British colonies began with certain interests in mind. Massachusetts and Virginia, besides being started with royal charters, were planted in separate locations, with unique resources, and by Englishmen with entirely different intentions.

After the Spanish and the French ignored the coast north of Florida due to the inconvenient climate, the English took the opportunity to colonize in an environment distanced from rival exploration. This colonization took place in the area around the eastern coast, and was originally motivated by the English need to create more opportunities for employment. The English colonization started off very slowly in Virginia, where colonist started feuds with local native tribe, and ignored agricultural needs in order to chase after potential silver and gold. In the following years, Virginia's colonists suffered from wars with the natives, famine, and diseases, until a new shipment of colonists and supplies came in 1610. Subsequently, teaching the