Jamestown vs Plymouth
Despite the fact that the original British settlements in Virginia at Jamestown (1607) and New England at Plymouth (1620) were founded in the same relative time period, the two colonies differed greatly economically, politically and socially. Economically, Jamestown was originally wholly dependant on money from the crown and later became dependant on a single cash crop, tobacco, while New England became self sufficient by farming all of their own food. Socially, New England colonists were a close-knit religious group of Puritans that came to escape religious persecution in England. The settlers of Jamestown were upper-class nobles who went to America in search of gold. Politically, Jamestown was set up with a more centralized government and had direct rule from the king. Plymouth had a very decentralized government made by its very own social contract and had no direct rule by the king. Although both settlements were initiated by the same
At first, the colony of Jamestown fell into a period of anarchy. The pilgrims came from a society of Puritans who already knew each other. The two settlements also differed socially. Later, with the help from John Rolfe, Jamestown was able to produce something of value to support itself: tobacco. Farmers were able to produce their own food, many of whom produced excess which they used as trading power to get furs and other goods from the natives. The pilgrims also developed excellent relations with local natives within the first four months. Socially, New England was initiated as a refuge for Puritans while Jamestown settlers came in search of gold. The natives helped the Pilgrims make it through the first few months by first giving them some food and teaching them how to grow it. When support came in 1608, John Smith was able to set up a system that he lead where he organized and disciplined the other colonists. Because they had guns, the colonists just expected the Indians to submit. Because of the religious persecution these people received in England, the Pilgrims mostly came to America for religious freedom. Despite the similarities that the two English settlements had, the two colonies were extremely different. joint-stock company, the London Company of Virginia, the two colonies were extremely different economically. Jamestown's settlers, however, were made up mostly of English upper-class nobles who defied work.
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