Plymouth and Jamestown: Government, Power, and Survival
comparative Essay
469 words
The Jamestown and Plymouth settlements were both settled in the early 1600's. Plymouth and Jamestown were located along the shoreline in Massachusetts and Virginia, respectively. Although both had different forms of government, they both had strong leadership. Jamestown was controlled by the London Company, who wanted to profit from the venture, while the Puritans who settled at Plymouth were self-governed with an early form of democracy and settled in the New World to gain religious freedom. John Smith took charge in efforts to organize Jamestown, and at Plymouth William Bradford helped things run smoothly. The settlement of Jamestown was controlled by the London Company. The London Company, for the most part, had full control of the colony. Jamestown greatly needed to plant crops, but instead the Company, driven by money, ordered the settlers search for gold and other values. The directors of the Company had little knowledge of what really needed to be done in the colony, and they did not seem to care. Plymouth colony was also supposed to be controlled by the London Company, bu...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that jamestown and plymouth settlements were both settled in the early 1600's. both had different forms of government, but both had strong leadership.
- Explains that jamestown was controlled by the london company, but the company, driven by money, ordered the settlers to search for gold and other values. plymouth colony was also supposed to be controlled but were blown off course and landed too farther north.
- Compares the two government systems of plymouth and jamestown. bradford was elected governor and provided firm leadership, but few colonists complained that he was too controlling.
- Explains that the puritans led them into the proper settings to encourage their faith instead of tearing it down. the jamestown colony didn't care about religious freedom, but only about money.
- Explains that jamestown and plymouth survived, despite their differences in government. their leadership brought them though, and although some did not necessarily have the best reasons for settlement, they did figure out what was important in the end.
Let Our AI Magic Supercharge Your Grades!
Related
- explanatory
- comparative
- analytical
- opinion
- The Success of the Massachusetts Bay Colonyexplanatory essayAmerica. In 1607, a group of merchants, known as the Virginia Company, settled at Jamestown, Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay (Divine, 72); while Puritan leader John Winthrop, stationed himself and his followers at Massachusetts Bay in 1630. (Divine, 90) Although both settlements started off relatively the same, the greater success of one over the other has caused continuous debates between many, including the descendants of these early Americans. Some might argue that the Virginia Colony was more successful than the Massachusetts Bay Colony because of the Virginia colonists’ motivation and interest in profit (Divine, 76). However, when efforts for income proved futile, this and survival became the colony's only interests. Therefore, Massachusetts proved itself to be the stronger colony and the most successful, as a result of its community development and social advancement, its economic growth, and the positive influence the government had on the Massachusetts Colony.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the virginia company settled at jamestown, virginia on the chesapeake bay, while puritan leader john winthrop stationed himself and his followers at massachusetts bay.
- Explains that the massachusetts bay colony organized communities that were small and built close together. taverns and meetinghouses were commonly built in town, giving the people a chance to meet and socialize.
- Explains that the high mortality rate in the colonies made it impossible for the virginia colonists to form a community.
- Explains that religion played an important role in shaping the community's people and interests. the puritans moved to north america to escape the convictions of the christians of england.
- Explains that the chesapeake bay colonists were motivated by their need for profit, which prevented them from growing as a community. instead of creating structures that would bring people together like the puritans, the virginia colony invested little time in building and improving their establishments.
- Explains that the massachusetts colony's village layout and religious unity gave it an advantage over virginia. the virginia company sent settlers who were just as unskilled as the ones before them.
- Explains that community was not the only success of the massachusetts bay colony; economy also influenced its advancement as a society.
- Analyzes how the virginia colony turned to agriculture to earn their economic wealth. the tobacco industry negatively affected the financial growth of the colony.
- Explains that the massachusetts bay colony's government formed after the puritans established themselves at massachusetts. the massachusetts' government helped with later issues within the communities.
- Explains that the chesapeake bay colony was still under the rule of the government of england. the colonists of virginia were frustrated that their head official was chosen by a single person.
1524 wordsRead More - Compare And Contrast Virginia And Massachusetts Coloniesexplanatory essayBoth the colony of Massachusetts and Virginia were founded by companies looking to make money off the New World, but the founding of Massachusetts was motivated more by religious goals and family dynamics. Erin Bonuso, author of “Colliding Cultures”,
In this essay, the author
- Compares the colony of jamestown, virginia, and the massachusetts bay colony, which were founded in 1629.
- Explains that massachusetts was mainly a puritan colony, while virginia, named after the virgin queen elizabeth, was anglican and tied close to the church of england.
- Explains that massachusetts gave more power to the people, while virginia's governor got appointed by the crown. the governing council, rich elites controlling everything, and the house of burgesses, upper middle-class landowners.
- Explains that both massachusetts and virginia were founded by companies looking to make money off the new world, but the founding of massachusetts was motivated by religious goals and family dynamics.
- Explains that the english colonies in new england established from 1620 onward were founded with loftier goals than those in virginia.
- Explains that virginia was settled for economic gain, while massachusetts (part of new england), because of religious motives, led to the shaping of the colonies.
- Explains that the climate and location framed the economic systems in each of the colonies. virginia is a southern colony making it warmer, while massachusetts relied heavily on trade and little on agriculture.
- Explains that massachusetts and virginia's political, economic, and religious systems differed but resembled each other. each way these colonies were forged contributed to what the united states is today.
926 wordsRead More - The Chesapeake and New England Colonies: A Comparisoncomparative essayDuring the late 16th century and into the 17th century, European nations rapidly colonized the newly discovered Americas. England in particular sent out numerous groups to the eastern coast of North America to two regions. These two regions were known as the Chesapeake and the New England areas. Later, in the late 1700's, these two areas would bond to become one nation. Yet from the very beginnings, both had very separate and unique identities. These differences, though very numerous, spurred from one major factor: the very reason the settlers came to the New World. This affected the colonies in literally every way, including economically, socially, and politically.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the chesapeake and new england colonies in the late 16th and 17th centuries.
- Narrates how jamestown, the first english colony in the new world, was founded by 104 settlers to a peninsula along the james river.
- Explains that new englanders were largely puritan separatists, who sought religious freedom, while protestants wanted complete separation from catholicism. they reproduced much of england's economy with only minor variations.
- Explains that the chesapeake and new england attracted different types of settlers and, by 1700, the populations differed enormously.
- Compares new england's religion with the chesapeake, where the anglican church was established after 1692.
- Explains that the chesapeake economy revolved around the tobacco industry, which paved the way for other industries. new england's economy was based on fishing, shipbuilding, and farming.
- Explains that the chesapeake and new england regions differed in numerous ways, including population, religion, and economy.
990 wordsRead More - Jamestown And Plymouth Compare And Contrastexplanatory essayBoth Jamestown and Plymouth are the part of our history, part of our life. However, they have so many different things between them. But that is the way we build our country. The country which always respects yourself. You have freedom of speech, freedom of religions. There are some conflict between Modern Americans and Native Americans. But It should decrease day by day. If I choose one company to go with, I would choose the Second Group to go to Plymouth. Because I am not recommending to grow tobacco to earn money. And the most significant. Although there are many points are not equivalent, but now we have got a strong country with one of the biggest army in the world. The reason to go with William Bradford, we can find our religion freely. The special thing which we get right now is the freedom of each person and a powerful
In this essay, the author
- Explains that although the english were not the first europeans to colonize north america, their settlements along the eastern seaboard became the thirteen colonies that later formed the united states.
- Explains that jamestown was the first english permanent settlement in north america. captain john smith became interested in the efforts of establishing a colony.
- Explains that the colonists' relationship with the american indians was good at first, but the relationship went downhill as the colonies grew and more land was needed.
- Explains that plymouth was the successful colony in north america. the mayflower pilgrims founded plymouth in 1620.
- Explains that the mayflower compact established its government and helped their own rules. the native american taught them how to plant corn, squash, pumpkins, and where to fish and hunt.
- Explains that jamestown and plymouth were the records of the colonists. the pilgrims established a self-governing agreement on their own, the mayflower compact.
- Opines that the growth and development of jamestown and plymouth contributed much to our present american heritage of law, religion, government, custom and language.
1660 wordsRead More - The Expansion of Freedom and Opportunity in Americaexplanatory essayJamestown began as a place of hierarchy. They were sent there to make a settlement, in hopes that they would find gold and other precious metals. However they did not find wealth as they had hoped and the mortality rate was very high, still colonists continued coming, looking for a new start.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how the qualities and freedoms of life have greatly changed throughout america's history, starting with the struggling settlement of jamestown and leading to the united states of america, a new nation led by its people and based on radical ideals.
- Describes how the virginia company founded jamestown and brought 104 men and boy colonists. famine and disease spread throughout the colony, leaving only 38 survivors from the first year.
- Explains that jamestown began as a place of hierarchy. they were sent there in hopes of finding gold and other precious metals, but the mortality rate was high.
- Explains that the pilgrims wanted to separate from the church of england, and that’s why they came to america. they all had the same goal of religious freedom.
- Explains that tobacco became the cash crop for the colonists in 1610, but there were few workers around to work it. the headright system gave 50 acres of land to anyone willing to cross the atlantic ocean to populate the colonies.
- Explains that the virginia company lost control to the crown in 1624, giving the colonists the opportunity to be self-governed. black slavery gradually emerged through the 1600s.
- Explains that plantation owners realized they could not control the mass of slaves, indentured servants and people in poverty that made up most of the population.
- Narrates how the french and indian war led to the colonists starting the war, but british troops were sent to aid them. the war was not cheap and britain was left in great debt.
- Explains that the american revolution began with the declaration of independence, which declared the colonies separate from england and listed all the grievances the king had bestowed upon them.
- Explains that plantation owners had control over their slaves and profited greatly from it. slaves were made to feel helpless, with nothing to work for and no true hope.
- Explains that slavery was less prevalent in the north, and abolitionist groups were working to free escaped slaves. by the 1850s, tensions between the north and south would lead to the deaths of thousands.
- Explains that the civil war nearly broke the country apart, but in the end united it. slaves would become free, though it took many years before they were given equal rights.
1166 wordsRead More - Colonial Differences in Early Americaexplanatory essayThe New England Colonies were a group of Puritans lead by John Winthrop who settled in Massachusetts and wanted religious reform. Off the first group lead by John Winthrop came along Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. The New England colony constantly took over native American lands and, as a result, much fighting took place between the Indians and the settlers of the region. The Puritans believed that people should worship and tend local matters as a community which resulted in a tightly knit of towns and villages. The Puritans took religion very seriously. Sabbath was very strict, and church was divided between genders. There were many town meetings which lead to the growth of democratic ideas in New England. They were the most concerned about education. They set up the first public schools and towns of 100 families or more had to set up a grammar school to prepare boys for college. New England was the only group of colonies that set up dame schools, or private schools run by women in their own homes for girls.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the new england colonies were a group of puritans led by john winthrop who settled in massachusetts and wanted religious reform.
- Explains that the puritans built a thriving way of life, growing indian corn, pumpkins, squash, and beans. they collected sap from maple trees and cut down trees to become major shipbuilding centers.
- Explains that the middle colonies were a diverse area with many races and religions. farmers had more favorable conditions than in new england.
- Explains that the southern colonies developed a different way of life than the other english colonies. the tidewater plantations enjoyed warmer weather and longer growing seasons, while south carolina and georgia raised rice and indigo.
- Explains that all three colonies were controlled by england. england practiced mercantilism and issued a series of navigation acts which ensured that only england benefited from colonial trade.
- Describes the three social classes in which all colonists lived by: the gentry, the middle class, and the indentured servants.
994 wordsRead More - Roanoke Colony Essayexplanatory essayThe Virginia Company of London founded Jamestown and was slightly more successful than Popham Colony, founded by the Virginia Company of Plymouth. The Popham settlement was abandoned after a long, cold winter and the Plymouth Company was subsequently dissolved. Two years after King James ch...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the massachusetts bay company took over the dorchester company in 1628. the puritans adopted the colony as a religious refuge.
- Explains that england merged all new england colonies into the dominion of new hampshire in 1686, which included new york and the two jerseys by 1688.
- Explains that the writs of assistance allowed the british government to enforce trade even more. james otis, a massachusetts lawyer, was ardently critical of these laws.
- Explains that the aftermath of the french and indian war, while not directly caused by great britain, was significant.
- Explains that britain had economic interests in the atlantic colonies since the 16th century. they could divide and allot the land as they pleased, but they could not control it effectively.
- Explains that the navigation acts of the 1650s and 1660s were written to limit colonial trade and expand english trade.
- Explains that the royal proclamation of 1763 established four new "governments" namely quebec, east and west florida and grenada.
1227 wordsRead More - The Rise Of Jamestown: England's First American Revolutionanalytical essayIn 1607 England’s first successful North American colony was established, Jamestown. Those who arrived at Jamestown in 1607 were what one might call the first “Americans”. These people underwent a series of catalysts that would spark the transformation of the term “American” from what it was in 1607 to what it became in 1763. Among these was, the resentment the people living in the colonies felt towards England and the Monarchy, the success of Jamestown, and the distance between the colonies and England, which shaped the term American, and ultimately led to the American Revolution.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the catalysts that led to the transformation of the term "american" from 1607 to 1763, including the resentment the people living in the colonies felt towards england and the monarchy.
- Explains that the first ignition to the spark of revolution was the resentment people in the colonies felt towards england and the monarchy.
- Explains that before establishing jamestown, england had attempted to establish two other colonies in north america, newfoundland and roanoke island, both of which failed.
- Explains that geography played a major role in changing what an american first was to what it later turned into.
- Analyzes how the underlying resentment towards the monarchy, independence and success that jamestown brought, and the distance between the two nations, changed what the term "american" was perceived as.
510 wordsRead More - Exceptionalism In Jamestownanalytical essayJamestown. A place meant to grow wealth but ended up on the brink of disaster. "The Labor Problem in Jamestown," by Edmund S. Morgan provides a glimpse into Jamestown's philosophy, simply described as careless. It is a sobering story about the dangers of laziness and the high cost at which Jamestown's citizens paid for it.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes morgan's "the labor problem in jamestown" as a sobering story about the dangers of laziness and the high cost at which the citizens paid for it.
- Opines that morgan's article "the labor problem at jamestown" explains the ins and outs of why the colonists were entitled, unmotivated, and ill-informed about the new world
- Analyzes how edmund s. morgan's "the labor problems at jamestown" tries to communicate the message he wishes to convey.
- Opines that edmund s. morgan's essay is to educate us about the past and advise for the future.
- Concludes that there is much we can learn from "labor problems in jamestown" by edmund s. morgan.
1006 wordsRead More - It is not a stretch to say that if one is to study the history of Europe, or in fact the world, religion is likely one of the most important aspects of nearly any incident or movement in the past 2000 years. What of the colonies that Europe created overseas, however? Are those areas also just as bound to religion as well, or is there something more, something which hold a higher sway that religion? Is Religion the reason behind the colonization that the Europeans did, or was the entire purpose of the colonies to create a source of income, and for economic reasons in general? It is this essay's purpose to state that while economics were a large reason for the colonies, the reason for the creation of the colonies were for a religious purpose for the puritan settlers, but for those that backed them it was a venture in which they hoped would reap them profits.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the book of plymouth plantation revolves around religious individuals who attempt to make a life in the new world so that they might practice their religion in peace.
- Opines that the best way to analyze of plymouth plantation is to look at certain aspects of the text as it allows for a much better in-depth analysis than attempting to go through the novel chronologically.
- Explains that the puritans had difficulty making money in holland, but their real fear was more about the temptation that money would prove to have on those who were in the colony.
- Explains that the expedition costs the puritan travellers to go over to the new world. the colony required backers to achieve their dream of heading overseas.
- Explains that the plymouth plantation was originally bound by three separate contracts, a religious, political, and business one.
- Analyzes how the colony was formed in a way to reap the financial reward of the hopefully promising colonial. it bought itself out of debt for £1800, and completed paying off the debt in 1645.
- Opines that the colony's founding was about creating a religious community for the puritan people, but that goal was superseded by the goal for investors to make money.
- Explains burnham, michelle, merchants, money, and the economics of "plain style" in william bradford's of plymouth plantation.
- Opines that the essay's scope will be limited to the colonies established in the new world by the puritans from england.
1643 wordsRead More - Early American Settlementsexplanatory essayIn studying laws in early American settlements it seems logical to look at Jamestown first. Jamestown had its problems from the beginning. One of the main ones was the colonists lack of desire to work. The work schedule of the day was considered easy even by modern day standards. Colonists were only required to work 6 hours a day, while the rest was reserved for personal leisure time. This from a colony that was practically starving to death. This is one of the few examples in which the laws in early colonial America were actually not harsh enough. But this was all about to change.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that in order for a society to be successful, there must be law and order. however, enforcements are overbearing and hinder the people under them.
- Explains that jamestown had its problems from the beginning. the work schedule of the day was considered easy even by modern-day standards.
- Narrates how jamestown was devastated by the harsh east coast winters of 1611, when sir thomas dale arrives.
- Explains that he was sent to bring discipline among the disorganized colonist. he published a set of rules now known as 'dales laws.'
- Opines that dale and his strict enforcement of jamestown's rules saved the colony, but at what price?
- Explains that the pilgrim colony at plymouth and the puritan settlement in massachusetts bay deserve mention. the colonists who resided here were unlike the early settlers of jamestown.
- Explains that the puritans of new england had strict laws when it came to the family structure. they would not allow single persons to live as bachelors.
546 wordsRead More - Against all Odds is a very interesting Documentary that follows the early settlement of Jamestown in the 17th century .With endless against the odds situations thrown out in from of the people of Jamestown left and right things seemed bleak. But a lot of perseverance from the early settlers including the Documentaries depiction of the original leader John Smith things seemed to resolve themselves. In Documentary there were several parts where it conceited with what is in chapter three of the Textbook the American Promise. For example, In the Documentary when the subject of the Tobacco business came up it was exampled in the same way as the first page of chapter three. With examples of how the product was grown and distributed out into the world. Making it a very valuable trade to be doing although very labor intensive, which is why it would soon lead into the slave trade. Something that was briefly shown in the documentary mainly to show what lengths the people of Jamestown were willing to go to make things work out in their new home.
In this essay, the author
- Describes jamestown:against all odds as a very interesting documentary that follows the early settlement in the 17th century.
- Analyzes how the documentary revolved around the first couple of years of creating the town. it showed historical references like the story of pocahontas, described as a beautiful grown woman who saved the life of john smith.
- Analyzes how smith's accounts were made up to make it more interesting especially with the addition of having pocahontas save him.
- Analyzes how jamestown in the chapter is discussed a little differently because there are more statements being said than anything else.
552 wordsRead More - Self-government in the Early Coloniesexplanatory essayHow were the seeds for self-government sown in the early colonies? Why was this important when England started to enforce rules (such as the Intolerable Acts)? Please give specific examples.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how self-governance was a primary idea of the settlers in north america.
- Explains that the mayflower compact was an example of early self-governance. it was signed by some of the earliest settlers of virginia including john carter in 1620.
- Explains that king george iii enacted the sugar act and the stamp act to gain extra revenue from his colonies. the stamp act required that many items have a stamp to prove that the owner had paid for the taxes on the item.
- Explains that the colonists had lived with a century of self-governance after the mayflower compact in 1620. with the increase of the power of great britain by king george iii in the 1760s, they could no longer enjoy the fruits
454 wordsRead More - The Rise Of Jamestown Settlersexplanatory essayJamestown’s whole reason to settle in the New World was primarily for growth of trade and the hope to make money. With the new settlement of Jamestown, the investors hoped trade would grow wider and the New World would provide more manufactured goods, which meant more profit for the investors. All settlers of Jamestown were males, because to look for gold in hope to get work is hard work. Jamestown settlers faced some problems such as inexperience, unwillingness to work and disease. Settlers in Jamestown did not want to work to find gold and keep their settlement thriving, the settlers also lacked experience, which meant that their survive skills were not ideal for the setting. Disease also spread around the colony because of lack of nourishment
In this essay, the author
- Explains that jamestown's reason to settle in the new world was primarily for growth of trade and the hope to make money.
- Explains that the plymouth colony was created because the pilgrims wanted religious freedom so they headed towards the new world.
343 wordsRead More - Jamestown and Plymouthcomparative essayThe English had two main colonies in the new world, Jamestown and Plymouth. The first colony was Jamestown, established in Virginia in 1607. Jamestown was settled by Captain John Smith, and was named after King James I. Tobacco was the main export of Jamestown, and became the basis of the Jamestown economy, sending more than 50,000 lbs of the plan back to Europe by 1618 (textbook 46). Jamestown had a very rocky start, many colonists dying in the first few years of the settlement, and the settlers had many problems with natives. Shortly after the arrival of English colonists the Natives attacked them, and were finally forced back by a canon from the English. A very uneasy truce was finally settled between the natives, called the Powhatans, and the English (textbook 44-5). Economic growth and expanding their territories were the main priorities of the English in the Jamestown colonies.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the english had two main colonies in the new world, jamestown and plymouth.
- Explains that plymouth was settled in massachusetts in 1620 by colonists who came over from england to escape religious persecution. the salem witch trials are known for their hypocrisy and unfair rulings.
- Compares the jamestown colony to the plymouth colony, which was settled for religious freedom. the self-interested colonists wanted land and money, while the puritans were greedy but did not wish to work.
- Explains that both the english colonies in new england in the south and southeast resulted in total dominance over the area. both economic power and growth as well as religion played major roles in this time period, helping to create the powerful nation that we now call the united states
566 wordsRead More