Did the different circumstances of Maryland and Virgina's founding affect the course of their respect development? How? Please point me in the right direction.
You want to look at the reasons for the founding of each of these colonies. Then look at the people who developed the colony... This will give you differences in their development.
Check the sites at both of these areas.
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/marshall/country/country-IV-35.html
http://www.chroniclesofamerica.com/southern-colonies/founding_of_maryland.htm
http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/colonialamerica/p/virginiacolony.htm
http://www.timepage.org/spl/13colony.html#virginia
Thanks for the start
The different circumstances of Maryland and Virginia's founding did indeed have an impact on the course of their respective development. To delve into this topic, you can start by researching the historical background and motivations behind the founding of both colonies.
For Maryland, it is crucial to understand that it was established as a proprietary colony by Lord Baltimore in 1634. The primary purpose behind its founding was to provide a safe haven for English Catholics who faced persecution in England at the time. Consequently, Maryland's development was influenced by the religious freedom and equality policies established within the colony. It became known for its tolerant attitude towards different religious groups, allowing Catholics, Protestants, and eventually Jews to settle and practice their faith.
On the other hand, Virginia was founded in 1607 primarily as an economic venture by the Virginia Company. The colony's main focus was on establishing profitable agricultural enterprises, specifically tobacco farming. This resulted in the development of a plantation-based economy with large landholdings worked by indentured servants, later replaced by enslaved Africans. The social structure in Virginia became hierarchical and deeply rooted in slavery, creating stark disparities between the wealthy landowners and the laboring majority.
Understanding these initial differences in founding circumstances and motivations is essential to grasp how they shaped the subsequent development of Maryland and Virginia. Further research on the political, economic, and societal transformations each colony underwent will provide deeper insights into the specific ways their trajectories diverged.
To broaden your understanding, you may want to explore primary sources like historical documents, diaries, and letters from the colonists themselves, as well as scholarly articles and books on the subject. Libraries, academic databases, and reputable websites such as those of historical societies and universities can serve as valuable resources to aid your research.