1. Different religious motivations:
- Chesapeake: Colonists were primarily motivated by economic opportunities and the pursuit of wealth rather than religious freedom.
- New England: Colonists were primarily motivated by religious beliefs and sought to establish societies based on their religious ideals.
2. Distinctive economic activities:
- Chesapeake: The economy was centered around the production of cash crops such as tobacco, which required extensive land and labor (often through a plantation system with enslaved labor).
- New England: The economy was more diversified, including subsistence farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and trade. Colonists engaged in small-scale farming and diverse occupations.
3. Contrasting social structures:
- Chesapeake: Society was more hierarchical, with a plantation-based economy leading to the emergence of a wealthy planter elite and a large population of enslaved individuals.
- New England: Society was more egalitarian, with small-scale farming, community engagement, and town meetings contributing to a more participatory and democratic societal structure.
4. Varied governmental systems:
- Chesapeake: The early governance followed the hierarchical structure of England with governors appointed by the Crown and a governing council comprised of wealthy landowners.
- New England: The colonies established representative governments, giving more power to the colonists. Many New England colonies had town meetings where all male citizens could participate in local decision-making.
5. Cultural and educational differences:
- Chesapeake: Cultural life reflected the hierarchical social structure; wealthy planters were more likely to have access to education and participate in artistic and intellectual pursuits.
- New England: Education was highly valued, which resulted in higher literacy rates among the population. Ministers played a key role in education and culture, leading to more religious-centered literature and cultural expressions.
Overall, while both groups encountered hardships and difficulties in establishing their colonies, the settlers in New England and Chesapeake differed significantly in their motivations, economic pursuits, social structures, governmental systems, and cultural orientations.