Darcie-Lynne Chidester HISTORY: TR 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm February 24,2012

Mid-Term Essay Question # 3

The motives for colonist to settle in Chesapeake and New England are completely

different. Chesapeake colonists were motivated to settle in Chesapeake because of cash crop,

more specifically tobacco. New England colonist settled in New England because of religious

matters such as colonist wanted religious freedom. Religion was of second importance in the

colonial life of Chesapeake.

There are only a few things that Chesapeake colonist and New England colonist have in

common. The way they both treated Indians were common, New England colonist used force on

the local tribes while Chesapeake colonist took their frustrations out on the local Indians when

tobacco prices changed thus causing economic depression. New England and Chesapeake

colonist both suffered hardships from diseases. Diseases slowed population growth in both

colonies.

There are many differences between the lives of Chesapeake colonist and New England

colonist. New England was more of a family and religious based society whereas Chesapeake

was more of an industrial society. When Chesapeake colonist brought in mostly young men as

indentured servants many women did not settle because of the emphasis on indentured labor. In

New England society education was a high priority because of the importance of being able to

read and understand the bible, whereas in Chesapeake it was not a priority because the colonist

did not need to know how to writes or read to work in the plantations. Chesapeake also did not

offer many opportunities to indentured servants.

Darcie-Lynne Chidester HISTORY: TR 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm February 24,2012

New England faced many challenges in regards to religion. Some colonist did not believe

in the ways of the Church of England, therefore they separated from the Church of England and

settled their own colonies. Religious belief was the number one factor for separating colonist

and was the source of many of their arguments. Also, many people (mainly women) were

accused of witchcraft. People argue that witchcraft was brought upon by clashes between

families and other differences.

Chesapeake faced many challenges within their colonies. They hit an economic

depression from 1660 into the 1700’s. Due to the economic depression there ended up being a

big dispute between whites and Indians and planters and slaves (Bacons Rebellion).

Darcie-Lynne Chidester HISTORY: TR 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm February 24,2012