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Colonial Times

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Submitted By mrsrestone205
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The nature and character of all the colonies were that they were short on supplies and all of them were focused on surviving in the New World. The colonies had goals and desires but were different in the ways they went about obtaining them. They all wanted to set up common ground, make rules for their region,and to start trading so they could make a living.

In Virginia when they lost Captain John Smith and went through the starving time was an extremely rough period. Most of the settlers were struck with illness and had to turn to cannibalism just to survive. They realized eventually that things were not going to get easier so they started to work together to set up laws and became religious to provide a more stable environment.

In Massachusetts Bay the Puritans were led by John Winthrop who was well prepared, organized, and a Godly man.They also were in search of establishing a settlement pleasing to God rather than being in search of wealth like other colonies. I believe those are the reasons that the Puritans did not have the same problems the settlers in Virginia had. Another reason for their success was : " On board the ship Arabella, Winthrop delivered a sermon, called 'A Model of Christian Charity,' ". This sermon set up the mandate for the settlers to serve as an example for the rest of the New World.

The Province of Maryland was more focused on trading tobacco,meats, and furs with Europe and other countries to make a profit. Eventually they became more religious which is why they had the best of both worlds.

In my opinion the attitudes of the settlers in the Massachusetts Bay,the Plymouth Plantation, and the Province of Maryland was a key factor to their success in the New World. Also I believe their strength and attitude came from their faith in God.

An example of this could be shown as follows, with William Bradford and the separatist congregation that immigrated first to Holland. This group after spending eleven to twelve years in Holland decided it was time to move on to the New World. Bradford and the Pilgrims spent a greater length of time preparing for and making agreeable arrangements for their voyage. During this time they also heard about the ill and horrible situations that plagued the Virginia colony, and they themselves suffered setbacks before they were able to make their voyage to the New World. I believe staying strong as a group,having a positive outlook, and standing firm in their faith all contributed to the Pilgrims being a successful colony in the New World.

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