Based on your reading of the documents what was the nature and character of these colonies? According to what is presented in the documents, how might the colonies be distinguished from one another (comparison/contrast)?
The environment and atmosphere of the first colonies to settle in the new world was widely dissimilar, and some found success while others suffered harsh conditions. Virginia as labeled by Captain John Smith would fall into the last category. The colony of Jamestown came to the New World seeking land, assets and commerce, and settled in a coastal area, which did not provide the freshest water and proved to be abundant with disease. Jamestown was the first English settlement in America (1607). It had a stiff time at first and did not thrive until the colonists received their own land and the tobacco industry began flourishing due to Mr. Rolfe, the settlement took root. People continued to arrive and new settlements arose. As we can see with the article entitled “The Starving Times,” Jamestown suffered significantly when John Smith, their greatest capable leader, returned to England. Smith even records that he heard of a wife being murdered and cannibalized because of lack of food. This colony did eventually find some strength when it began to harvest tobacco, rice and indigo. Lord Baltimore received land from King Charles I to create a sanctuary for Catholics. His son, the second Lord Baltimore, personally possessed all the land and could use or sell it as he wished. In 1649, the Toleration Act was approved allowing all Christians to worship as they pleased. Maryland seemed to find more success in the New World thanks to its harvesting of tobacco, furs and flesh. Adjudicating by what is read in Alsop’s article, Maryland is described as a active trade community. Although this colony suffered its own troubles such as “The Plundering Times,” and