I have written a small essay on this question:
Compare the ways in which religion shaped the development of colonial society in the New England and Chesapeake regions.
Here is what I wrote. Could someone read it and tell me if it is correct, and maybe add some comments? please
The New England and Chesapeake colonies were founded by immigrants from England. The two regions turned into two very different colonies, and a large factor was religion. The immigrants wanted to “purify” the Catholic church of England, and they left England because of religious persecution.
The New England Colony was established by Puritans who wanted to start over and have religious freedom. They had a society of precise religious participation, and wanted to keep their communities productive. They believed that all men are created equal and slavery should not be practiced. A government based on the consent of the people was established, and the church and state were separated.
Lord Baltimore II founded the Chesapeake Colony with the motive of establishing a place where English people who were discriminated against in England could go. Originally, estate owners were only Catholic men, and Protestants were servants. There was a mixture of Catholics and Protestants, but the Protestants outnumbered the Catholics. Lord Baltimore guaranteed freedom of religion to anyone who believed in Jesus Christ. This ensured Catholic safety, and Maryland had the most Roman Catholics by the end of the Colonial Era. The people of Chesapeake were looking for large profits. They had plantations full of crops, making them very wealthy, while having slaves work on the land.
The two regions came from England, but had some different ideas. The New England people were looking for a place to settle with their families and focus on religion, while the Chesapeake people were looking to gain large profits.
I don't know if I agree with you entirely. The Puritans came to America so they could dictate how religion was to be practiced. Yes, they were discriminated against in England, they wanted to get away from that, but they did not want freedom of religion, except for all to be free to worship their way.
In the Chesapeake colony, large profits is not a part of religion. These folks had a diversity of religion, and practiced religious tolerance, unlike the Puritans.
As the Puritans were disbursed, there came many religions (German, Lutheran, Baptist, Quakers, Anglicans, Catholics, et al), and this diversity forced freedom of religion and no state religion as a matter of pragmatism, as there was little choice.
In both the Puritan and Chesapeake colonies, religion was a focal point of the communities.
http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/religion.htm
Overall, your essay provides a good overview of how religion shaped the development of colonial society in New England and the Chesapeake regions. However, here are a few suggestions for improvement:
1. Make your thesis statement clearer: While you mention that religion was a large factor in shaping the colonies, your thesis could be more explicit in stating that religion played a key role in shaping societal, political, and economic aspects of both regions.
2. Provide more specific examples and evidence: While you mention the general beliefs and motivations of the colonists, it would strengthen your essay to provide specific examples of religious practices, institutions, and their impact on daily life. For example, you could discuss the influence of Puritan churches and religious practices on education, moral codes, and community interactions in New England.
3. Provide more context for the religious diversity in the Chesapeake: While you briefly mention Lord Baltimore and the guarantee of religious freedom, it would be helpful to explain the broader tensions and persecutions between Catholics and Protestants in England and how Lord Baltimore's policies addressed these issues. Additionally, you could discuss how the presence of religious diversity influenced social dynamics and religious tolerance in the Chesapeake region.
4. Draw more explicit comparisons and contrasts: Your essay rightly identifies some differences between the two regions, but it would be beneficial to expand on this further. For example, you could examine the contrast between the emphasis on communal religious life in New England and the profit-driven nature of the Chesapeake's plantation economy.
5. Consider addressing counterarguments: To strengthen your argument, you could acknowledge potential counterarguments or alternative perspectives. For example, some scholars argue that economic factors were the primary drivers of social development in the colonies, rather than religion. By briefly addressing and refuting counterarguments, you can strengthen your overall argument.
6. Proofread for grammar and clarity: There are a few areas where grammar and sentence structure can be improved, such as in the sentence "A government based on the consent of the people was established, and the church and state were separated." Additionally, double-check for clarity and ensure that each sentence contributes to the overall flow and coherence of the essay.
Overall, your essay provides a good foundation on which to expand and strengthen your argument. By incorporating these suggestions, you can enhance the clarity and depth of your analysis of how religion shaped the development of colonial society in New England and the Chesapeake regions.
Your essay covers the main points of comparing the ways in which religion shaped the development of colonial society in the New England and Chesapeake regions. Here are a few comments:
1. Introduction: Your introduction provides a brief overview of the topic and the main focus of your essay. It effectively highlights the significance of religion in shaping the development of the colonies.
2. New England Colony: You correctly mention that the New England Colony was established by Puritans seeking religious freedom. It was indeed a society with strong religious participation, emphasizing communal productivity. However, you could add specific examples of how religion influenced the social, political, and economic aspects of life in the New England colonies.
3. Chesapeake Colony: You mention that Lord Baltimore II established the Chesapeake Colony to provide a haven for English people facing discrimination. However, the distinction between the Chesapeake region and the actual colony of Maryland can be clarified. The Chesapeake region consisted of several colonies, including Virginia and Maryland. It would be beneficial to provide more details on how religion impacted the specific colony you are referring to, which is Maryland.
4. Comparison: You briefly discuss the contrasting motives of the New England and Chesapeake colonists. However, it would be helpful to expand on how these differences in religious motivation influenced the development of social, political, and economic structures in the two regions. Did these differences contribute to different forms of governance, cultural practices, or the treatment of Native Americans?
5. Conclusion: You effectively summarize the key differences between the New England and Chesapeake colonies. However, you may want to consider adding a concluding statement that briefly reiterates the significance of religion in shaping the overall development of these colonial societies.
Overall, your essay provides a good starting point for comparing the impact of religion in the New England and Chesapeake colonies. Expanding on specific examples and elaborating on the consequences of these religious influences would help strengthen your analysis.
There was no "Chesapeake" colony. Do you mean Maryland? or Virginia?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies
You wrote this -- "immigrants wanted to 'purify' the Catholic church of England" -- but you never explained what this means. Why is "purify" in quotation marks? Are you quoting someone? Who? From where? And what does this mean??
What does this mean -- "society of precise religious participation"? Another phrasing without clarification.
What does this mean -- "and the church and state were separated"? How did they do this? What were the results? What would their colony have been like if they hadn't separated church and state?
This -- "while having slaves work on the land" -- is an ENORMOUS subject, but it's completely unexplained in your paper. Please expand.