Chesapeake Bay Colonies and New England Colonies: Ethnic Roots and Development
APUSH Essay Even though the Chesapeake Bay Colonies and New England Colonies would share ethnic roots they would differ greatly in their development. With New England’s society centered on religion and Chesapeake Bay’s around profit both came to the new world with their own intentions. Other aspects in which these societies differed was in economy and social structure. However regardless of differences and similarities both colonies would find their own way to thrive. When it comes to religion, the colony of New England was influenced to a much greater degree than Chesapeake Bay. Their whole reason for being there was because of religion. The main religious group in New England was the Puritans. The strict aspects of the Puritan way of life made the colony a very stable place to live. In comparison to the Chesapeake Bay Colonies where religion did not play a very big part there was not much political stability. The sect of Christianity practiced by the Chesapeake colonists was the Anglican Church. The Anglican Church was not nearly as strict or influencing on life as the Puritans’ practice. Without a strict set of rules in place from religion the only time the Chesapeake Bay colonies would enjoy stability in its early days would be under the military like rule from James Cook. The reason why religion usually would bring stability would be from the moral code embedded inside the teachings of the bible. From this people were able to humble themselves resulting in a stable society. Stability would eventually come to the Chesapeake Bay once it would become a royal colony. In addition to this tobacco would also become a major staple product for the Chesapeake Bay. Overall religion would be a bigger player in the development of New England as a colony. Economy was very different in both respective colonies. Economy in New England would be very simple. Mainly family units would each have their own farm in which they would become self sufficient on. On top