Dbq_Newengland_&_Chesapeake

Although New england and the Chesapeake regions were both settled by the same group of people they both developed distinct societies. This distinction could be the result of many things. difference of idea's in land distribution, difference in settlers or difference in the type of economy that came with the land. Which was truly more successful is questionable but the fact that they both gave people a new type of society is a true. Although both settlers were from the same region there was a strong distinction between the groups that went to each location. As shown in Document B, the majority of the groups that went to New england were families. This allowed the community to more diverse as it involved many different types of people such as servants as well as wealthy land owners.In addition with woman and children being apart of the society it allowed the new england region to be more fluent and prosperous In contrast in Document C it showed that majority of the immigrants where men. There was almost no women and or kids aboard the roster towards the Chesapeake region. This created a more isolated society since there was almost no diversity in the group of settlers and with no women or children life was fairly set and slow moving. Another distinction between the two society’s was the difference in distribution of land. As seen in Document D the “Articles of Agreement” with the group sailing to Massachusetts bay land was going to be distributed evenly. It clearly states that “ everyone will have planting grounds” This not only lead to a distinction between the two societies it also led to a diverse agriculture and trade.(Outside Information). Again in contrast in Document H an excerpt from Bacons “Manifesto” he tells of the unfair distribution of land in Virginia and the Chesapeake region. In contrast to New England's fair land distribution Bacon talks about how all the land goes to single and wealthy individuals. This Unfair distribution lead to formations of giant farms or plantations. This allowed for a huge spike in the economy due to the ability to grow tobacco in large amounts. The difference in land distribution also lead to differences in the type of economy that, that society had. For example the even land distribution in the new england region lead to many small farms and thus a more diverse area of trade. Since these small farms grew products such as rice wheat and raised live stock there was a more diverse trade options. In contrast the Chesapeake region had large plantations and grew almost nothing except tobacco. Although this was a successful product it lead to a single “Cash Crop” economy. This has as many risks as it has benefits. Since there was a dependance of a single crop if it was to fail there economy would plummet with it and since tobacco ruins the land after only a few years of use there was bound to happen sometime. Thus showing that the New england diverse trade and farming techniques were not only just as efficient but a lot safer to match. But the diversity of crops between the two regions was necessary. It avoided arguments over pricing and allowed them both to maintain even income during most years. Although both regions were both populated by similar group of settlers there culture was diverse and had differences in most aspect of there lives. In all the New england seemed to have a more balanced economy while the chesapeake was more questionable and risky.