Question

Need ideas for an AP US History essay:
Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference in development occur?

Answer 1

Because, first, in the 1600s the major distinction between how people behaved socially was religion, not nationality. That is, Puritans from England would behave more like Puritans from the Netherlands or Calvinists from France or Switzerland than they would like Quakers from England, or Catholics from France.

New England was initially settled by Puritans, while the Chesapeake region was initially settled by Catholics. While both religions were outcasts in Anglican England, they were otherwise very different, being sharply divided by the results of the Reformation (which, you'll recall, only finished up with fighting in 1648, at the Peace of Westphalia).

A second issue is probably plain economics, in that New England made its money from the beginning in fishing and trade, while the Chesapeake region made money in farming. That would lead to differences in social structures, and hence social values.

Answer 2

thanks!

Answer 3

what sources should I use?

Answer 4

Keep in mind also that the economy in the Chesapeake region mostly involved tobacco farming, which quickly exhausted soil and labor-intensive. Thus, this prompted the expansion of slavery. I can't say anything as far as sources go; best bet would be textbook.

Answer 5

Also, there is a separation of government as well. New England relied more on charters that resemble modern-day American government (ex. the Constitution), since for the most part the Pilgrims were just, well, normal people who separated from the Church of England, while the Chesapeake colonies followed the normal colonial model at the time and usually had a strong central authority overseeing colonial operations.