Question

Evaluate the extent to which the Chesapeake and New England colonies differed, and account for why the major differences in development occurred. Discuss how the development of these colonies affected American Indians in those regions. In response to the prompt, write a short paragraph that demonstrates both a similarity and a difference. After your paragraph, explain how you are meeting the requirements.

Answer 1

The New England colonies had a more diverse economy which included shipping, lumber, and export of food crops. On the other hand, the Chesapeake colonies' economy focused almost exclusively on the production and export of tobacco and a few other cash crops. This was likely because their locations affected their means of production. Chesapeake colonies were more south of New England colonies, so it would have been warmer and easier to grow crops. New England had a harder time growing crops in their colder environment with more rocky soil, so they found other means of production to rely on as well as crops. However, the two regions also had some similarities. In both the New England and Chesapeake regions, English colonists established settler colonies based on agriculture, in contrast to French trading posts in Canada. These settlements were based on some form of agriculture and had some measure of self-sufficiency, especially in New England. American Indians were affected by both colonies because they were establishing permanent settlements, which led to many conflicts. Although there was conflict, there was also trade as well.

I used comparison and causation, which were both asked of in the prompt. I answered the entire question.