Colonial Diversity
The first permanent colonial settlement in North America was Jamestown. This colony was the first of many settlements. Although, in the beginning, the majority of settlers came from England, the colonial states that emerged couldn’t have been more diverse. Over time, the New England and Chesapeake Bay regions grew to be exceptionally different. By 1700, both areas had developed very dissimilar political arrangements and communities. The two areas had developed very different political situations and governments. In the New England colonies, religion was intricately woven into the government. The government of the Northern region was a theocracy. There was no separation of church and state. In the Articles of Agreement, the first article was to find a suitable minister to preach in their church. Also, the first person on the emigration list was a minister named Joseph Hull. The minister, along with the elect, made the laws and rules by which community members were to live by. The New Englanders lived in a very peaceful society. Up until about 1700, there were very few, if any, rebellions against the government. They aimed to be cities of God and examples for the world. The government in the southern colonies was i
n no way connected to religion. In the Chesapeake Bay region, there was turmoil and civil warfare. In 1673, Governor Berkeley wrote to the King of England for help after a Dutch attack. Berkeley writes, “For by our nearest computation we leave at our backs as many servants (besides Negroes) as there are freemen to defend the shores and all our frontiers [against] the Indians…[This] gives men fearful apprehensions of the danger they leave their estates and families in…” Governor Berkeley wants the King to send reinforcements to help the Virginia colonists in battle against the Dutch. Only three years later, Nathanial Bacon rebels against Governor Berkeley. The citizens of Jamestown were very unhappy with the limited amount of protection they were receiving from Indian attacks. Bacon asks the Governor for more soldiers to protect them, but he refuses to send them any. In response, Bacon organizes 300 men and attacked the first Indians they see, which happened to be peaceful, fur trading Indians. Bacon’s supporters pressured Governor Berkeley to hold an election for the House of Burgesses. Bacon won the election. While Bacon was away from Jamestown, Berkeley organized an assault against him. Upon his return, Bacon set Jamestown on fire and Governor Berkeley fled. Bacon justified his attack on the Governor by accusing him of stealing money from the colonists. Bacon wrote, “Let us observe the sudden rise of their estates…[compared] with the quality in which they first entered this country. Let us consider their sudden advancement. And let us also consider whether any public work for our safety and defense or for the advancement and propagation of trade, liberal arts or sciences is in any way adequate to our vast charge.” Soon after his victory against Berkeley, Bacon died. This was one of many rebellions in the south. There were many differences between the New England and Chesapeake Bay governmental systems, but many differences lied in their diverse ways of living. Throughout the development of the colonial areas of North America, vast differences arose. The New England and Chesapeake Bay colonies grew into separate entities that believed in different political arrangements and communities. The New
Some topics in this essay:
Chesapeake Bay,
Governor Berkeley,
Massachusetts Bay,
Regulations Connecticut,
Fortunately Africans,
History Virginia,
Cecilius Calvert,
John Smith,
Articles Agreement,
Christian Charity,
chesapeake bay,
england colonies,
governor berkeley,
john smith,
england chesapeake bay,
england chesapeake,
chesapeake bay region,
political arrangements,
arrangements communities,
articles agreement,
articles agreement article,
agreement article,
political arrangements communities,
chesapeake bay colonies,
bay colonies,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1516
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on Colonial Diversity Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|