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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 in 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.


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