describe how the formation and survival of both Jamestown and Plymouth colonies are an indicator of how the whole of our country will form, leading to the selectionalism and eventually Civil war in 1860

The formation and survival of Jamestown and Plymouth colonies provide important insights into the early history of the United States and set the stage for the later sectionalism and eventually the Civil War in 1860. By understanding the factors that influenced these colonies, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the country developed.

Jamestown, founded in 1607, was established by the Virginia Company with the primary goal of expanding English trade and challenging Spain's dominance in the New World. The colony faced numerous challenges, including food shortages, conflicts with Native Americans, and internal divisions. However, it ultimately survived due to the development of tobacco cultivation, which became a lucrative cash crop.

Plymouth Colony, on the other hand, was founded in 1620 by a group of English Puritan separatists known as the Pilgrims. They sought religious freedom and established a cooperative community based on their religious principles. Unlike Jamestown, Plymouth had a stronger sense of unity and cooperation among its inhabitants, which contributed to its survival.

The formation and survival of these colonies showcase different motivations and approaches to colonization. Jamestown was primarily motivated by economic opportunities and was characterized by profit-seeking ventures. In contrast, Plymouth was driven by religious freedom and aimed to create a close-knit community based on shared values.

These contrasting experiences had profound implications for the development of the United States. The Jamestown model of economic development, driven by profit and exploitation, laid the foundation for a competitive and individualistic society. The plantation system that emerged in Virginia and the southern colonies relied heavily on slave labor, which further exacerbated social and economic divisions.

Plymouth, with its emphasis on community and cooperation, provided an alternative model for societal organization. The values of religious freedom, communal support, and cooperation formed the basis of New England society. These values and structures influenced the development of government systems, education, and cultural institutions in the region.

Over time, these regional differences in values, economic systems, and social structures led to increased sectionalism - the divide between different regions of the country. The North, which inherited the principles of the Plymouth Colony, developed a more industrialized economy and a stronger commitment to the abolitionist movement. The South, influenced by the Jamestown model, continued to rely on the plantation system and slavery.

These differences came to a head in 1860 when the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, with his platform against the expansion of slavery, prompted several southern states to secede from the Union. The ensuing Civil War was fought, in part, over conflicting visions of how the country should develop and resolve the issue of slavery.

In summary, the formation and survival of Jamestown and Plymouth colonies illustrate the initial patterns that shaped the United States. From the profit-driven model of Jamestown to the communal ideals of Plymouth, these early colonies set the stage for the sectionalism that ultimately led to the Civil War. Understanding this history helps us grasp the complexities of our country's formation and the long-term consequences of its early settlements.