Social Structure and Development in the Chesapeake and New England Colonies

961 Words Oct 26th, 2013 4 Pages
The Chesapeake and New England colonies were both settled by predominantly British immigrants. They founded the Chesapeake colonies such as Virginia in 1607 and Maryland in 1634 they founded the New England colonies such as Massachusetts in 1630, Connecticut in 1635, Rhode Island is 1636 and New Hampshire in 1639. Both the New England colonies and the Chesapeake colonies started as similar colonies but developed into different societies. The New England and Chesapeake colonies developed into two different societies due to their differences in economics, social development, and religion.
The New England and Chesapeake colonies had some similarities in economics but developed differently. Both colonies were founded to make money
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(Doc A.)This article shows us that the colonist thought they must work, pray, and rejoice as one group to survive. The New England colonies contained many more families than the Chesapeake colonies. (Doc B.) Their hierarchy of social classes was set up as Clergy, usually puritan, then white men, women and then the few slaves. Slaves were much more uncommon in the New England colonies. The New England colonies had a religious family, group centered lifestyle while the Chesapeake colonies were very secular and single interest driven.
Religion also played a role in the development of the societies. The New England colonies were primarily formed of Puritans. They centered religion in their lifestyle. They felt that they were living Gods mission and were there to fulfill his wants in the new world, that they were his example and servants. (Doc A.) The Puritans forced all colonists to pay money towards the church, and you could even be punished if you did not pay or even attend. Religion was a key part in the everyday life of most colonists in the New England colonies. The Chesapeake colonies were primarily Catholics, Anglicans, or any other group seeking religious freedom. The Chesapeake colony did not have a set religion or a have a major importance in religion unlike that of the New England colonies.
The New England and Chesapeake colonies may have been founded similarly but over time they developed into different societies. They

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