Although the Northeastern and Chesapeake region were largely settled by people of English origin, they developed into two distinct societies by the 1700’s, as their individual approaches to settlement differed, indicated by their unique motives for colonization, the impact of economy on social dynamics, as well as contrasting political structures.
The differing original intentions around colonization for the Northeastern and Chesapeake colonies significantly contributed to the distinct development of the two regions, as their motivations impacted the cornerstone of their efforts, allowing distinct aspects of civilization to develop within the two regions. Seeking and desiring religious freedom, the Puritans, or original settlers of the Northeastern …show more content…
This imparts that the settlers of the Massachusetts Bay colony developed their own perspective on the religious world, and believed in tolerance for their individual views, ultimately revealing that their passion for religion inspired them to speak out and establish colonies of their own, such as Rhode Island and Connecticut. Due to religious motivation, as well as the desire to advocate new ideas, the Northeastern colonies settled in small clusters, establishing settlements to pursue their individual ideals and place an emphasis on religion. In comparison, Chesapeake colonists arrived in Jamestown, with a conquest for riches, simply for an economic purpose. In fact, the first charter clearly stated the premier purpose of colonization - mining for riches. Although the colony of Maryland was an exception, as it was colonized for religious reasons, the Act of Toleration in 1649 was a catalyst in creating religious diversity and tolerance in the colony. Due to the religious toleration for various sects of Christianity, the citizens of Maryland were content, and were able to focus on achieving economic prosperity, revealed …show more content…
In comparison to the Chesapeake colonies’ economic dependence on large plantations, the settlers of the Northeastern colonies were sustained by the functions of small farms. American Destiny states, “By granting land to settlers in return for a small annual rent, they hoped to obtain a steadily increasing income” (37). Since a majority of the Northeastern colonies were established by groups of citizens, rather than commercial enterprises, the settlers were reliant on the small amounts of annual rent in order to sustain. This pattern resulted in the development of small farms, causing the Northeastern economy to be independent from the need for labor, unlike the Chesapeake colonies. The lack of labor in the Northeastern colonies ensued an English dominated society unaffected by racism. The economy of the Chesapeake colonies was based on the establishment of large plantations. The large scale cultivation of tobacco presented the need for labor. The economy's’ reliance on labor resulted in the rise of tense social dynamics, eventually being the cause for rebellion within the Chesapeake