How did the reason for the founding of the New England colonies differ from the founding of the Jamestown colony?
The reason for the founding of the New England colonies differed significantly from the founding of the Jamestown colony in multiple ways:
1. Religious Motivation: The New England colonies, such as Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony, and Rhode Island, were primarily founded by religious groups seeking religious freedom and establishing a society based on their religious beliefs. For example, the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower to Plymouth Colony were seeking freedom from religious persecution in England. In contrast, the Jamestown colony, established in 1607, was primarily an economic venture led by the Virginia Company. Its main purpose was to establish a profitable settlement in the New World and find gold.
2. Economic Focus: The New England colonies had a less prominent focus on economic ventures compared to Jamestown. The New England colonists, including the Puritans, were more focused on building a close-knit religious community and developing a self-sufficient agrarian society. The Puritans emphasized communalism and a strong work ethic. In contrast, the Jamestown colony focused on the hopes of discovering gold and other valuable resources, leading to the establishment of cash crops like tobacco as the main source of wealth.
3. Relationship with Native Americans: The New England colonies, particularly Massachusetts Bay Colony, had a more strained relationship with the Native Americans compared to Jamestown. The Pilgrims, upon arriving at Plymouth Colony, initially had conflicts with the Wampanoag tribe before eventually establishing a tenuous peaceful coexistence with the help of Squanto, a Native American guide. Conversely, the Jamestown colony initially had a more precarious existence due to the hostile relationship with the Powhatan Confederacy. This led to several conflicts, such as the Anglo-Powhatan Wars, as the settlers sought to expand and establish dominance over the Native American tribes.
4. Self-Government: The New England colonies generally had more emphasis on self-government and democratic practices compared to Jamestown. The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrims upon arriving at Plymouth, established a framework for self-governance and majority rule. This democratic spirit continued in later New England colonies, shaping the development of town meetings and representative assemblies. In contrast, the Virginia Company initially maintained more centralized control over the Jamestown colony, which eventually led to a greater focus on representative government with the establishment of the House of Burgesses in 1619.
Overall, the New England colonies were founded on the basis of religious freedom, communal living, and self-government, whereas the Jamestown colony was primarily driven by economic motives and the search for wealth.