To effectively compare and contrast the items, let's take two examples: the Jamestown Colony and the Plymouth Colony.
1. Description of the Colony
- Jamestown Colony: Located in Virginia, the Jamestown Colony was established in 1607. The land was characterized by swampy terrain and a lack of reliable freshwater sources. The climate was subtropical and often subjected to harsh winters and hot summers. The colony initially consisted of all male settlers, mostly English adventurers seeking wealth and fortune.
- Plymouth Colony: Established in 1620 in present-day Massachusetts, the Plymouth Colony was founded by English Separatists known as Pilgrims. The land was hilly with dense forests but provided access to local rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. The climate was colder than Jamestown, with long winters and mild summers. The Plymouth Colony had a relatively homogeneous population of English Separatists seeking religious freedom.
2. Economy
- Jamestown Colony: Jamestown initially aimed to find gold, but that pursuit was unsuccessful. The colony then shifted its focus to agriculture, particularly tobacco cultivation, which became the main source of income. The introduction of cash crops, such as tobacco, enabled the colony to generate revenue and establish trade relations with England.
- Plymouth Colony: Due to the rocky soil and challenging agricultural conditions, the Plymouth Colony struggled to cultivate cash crops. Instead, the colonists relied on subsistence farming, fishing, and fur trading to sustain themselves economically. Trading and fishing became vital for maintaining the colony's economy and relationships with Native American tribes.
3. Government
- Jamestown Colony: Jamestown started as a proprietary colony, owned by the Virginia Company, which was granted a charter by King James I. However, after various challenges, including the Starving Time, the Virginia Company's charter was revoked, and Virginia became a royal colony directly controlled by the English Crown. The governance shifted to a governor appointed by the king and later to a representative assembly known as the House of Burgesses.
- Plymouth Colony: Plymouth Colony began as a self-governing colony based on the Mayflower Compact, a document agreed upon by the colonists themselves. The compact established a democratic system with elected leaders who made decisions for the common good. However, over time, the colony came under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and lost some of its autonomy.
In summary, the Jamestown Colony and the Plymouth Colony differed in their geographical characteristics, economic activities, and forms of governance. Jamestown aimed for wealth through tobacco cultivation, endured changes in governance from proprietary to royal, and attracted a diverse group of settlers seeking economic prosperity. On the other hand, Plymouth relied on subsistence farming, fishing, and trade, adopted a self-governing approach through the Mayflower Compact, and was homogenously settled by Pilgrims seeking religious freedom.
Compare and contrast the following items:
Description of the Colony - Land, Climate, Diversity of People
Economy - how did they make money?
Government - what type of colony was it (proprietary, royal, self-governing)
1 answer