New England VS the Chesapeake Region - Free Essay Example

New England vs. the Chesapeake Region (DBQ) Settlers arrived to the Chesapeake region only to be greeted by unhealthy lands full of despair and labor. New Englanders, on the other hand, were welcomed by fresh air and clean water. As the years passed, the state of these two lands stabilized a bit with each other, but the people’s way of living in these regions did not. New England and the Chesapeake region developed differently because of the types of people who came to each of these places, the goals settlers had in mind when they came, and their individuality/teamwork. The Chesapeake region was occupied mainly by single men, while New England had families. The list of emigrants bound for New England is detailed, with the age of the passenger and their relationship with another person on board, with a decent amount of women (Doc. B). However, the list of emigrants bound for Virginia only has the person’s name and age, with less than twenty women on board (Doc. C). As a result, New England became very populous while the Chesapeake had a less than satisfactory population. Another reason why the two regions were different was because the settlers each had different goals to fulfill. New Englanders, for example, wanted to start a new life with religious freedom. John Winthrop discusses how the settlers â€Å"Must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. [†¦] if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, [†¦] we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world†. The Puritan settlers incorporated their beliefs in many things, as well as proper education. For instance, children were taught religion, as well as reading and writing. The people also ran their own churches and had a congregational church government, similar to democracy in a political government. Settlers in the Chesapeake area, however, only desired wealth from gold and agriculture by using slaves. Captain John Smith recount s his experience as â€Å"The worse [†¦] with their golden promises made all men their slaves in hope of recompenses. There was no talk†¦ but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, [†¦]†. The people in Virginia only stayed for economic prosperity such as growing tobacco and mining for gold, even though the condition of the land was terrible and disease ridden. Both states had different things in mind, in terms of beliefs and goals. Lastly, the people of New England were interactive with others while the people of Virginia were independent. John Winthrop addressed the people as â€Å"[Yet] we must be knit together in this work as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection; we must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities for the supply of others’ necessities†. Settlers in New England were on relatively good terms with each other, with religion keeping them together. In Virginia things were different. Since the settler s there did not come to the Chesapeake area to start a new life, they did not care much about others around them and worked independently. There were not many people to trust, since everyone was out to make riches. Governor Berkeley and his Council stated â€Å"Also at least one third [of the freemen available for defense] are single freemen (whose labor will hardly maintain them) or men much in debt†¦ [†¦] in hopes of bettering their condition by sharing the plunder of the country with them†. The governing body of Virginia did not trust the single, young men that came because they may get swayed by the other enemy countries and betray their own. In conclusion, the settlers may not have been loyal. The Chesapeake region and New England developed differently because of the different people that gathered in those two lands, the goals they both had, and their unity. The Chesapeake area overall was not a good place to stay because of population issues, poor living conditions, and lack of loyalty. New England had better conditions: A big population, positive goals that were beneficial to the settlers, and loyalty. Virginia created a place for settlers to make wealth in a risky way, while New England became a haven for Puritans that were looking to get away from Old England and start anew.