Similarities and Differences between the Settlements of Massachusetts and Virginia - Essay Example

Lecturer Similarities and Differences between the Settlements of Massachusetts and Virginia, 1607-1707 Introduction Virginia and Massachusetts colonies changed into different societies by 1700CE, even though both were started by the English colonialists. The differences resulted due to differences in religion, government and economy. This paper will company the two settlements based on analysis of their major characteristics. Five books are used as sources of information, and they are appropriately cited. The books are: A Mighty Empire (2008), Colonial Massachusetts (2005), The American Revolution (2002), The Conquest of Virginia (2006), and Savagism and Civility (2007). Colony of Virginia During the month of May, 1607, an English colony comprising 150 people arrived in Virginia, on a magnificent peninsula in James River. They formed a settlement, which they referred to as the Jamestown. This was the first permanent European settlement in the United States. The settlement was named Jamestown, to honor James I of England. James I, in 1606, James I illustrated that the country is between 34 and 45 degrees of the north latitude, from the Cape Fear River’s mouth, and 150 miles north east from Charleston in South Carolina, to Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital. Halifax was divided into approximately two equal parts, which were granted to two different companies; South Virginia was given to the London Company, while Plymouth Company got North Virginia (Sams 112). The first settlement in Virginia was initiated b the London Company. This expedition was led by Captain Christopher Newport; however, the colony’s government was initiated in England. The colony government in the England’s plan had a council with seven people. The President of the council was elected by the members; however, they were driven by a violent storm away from that place. In the sailing process, they found the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, present day Maryland (Benard 211). They named the capes Henry and Charles. On entering the bay at length, they discovered an appropriate location for starting a settlement. The code of law of the colony was thereby promulgated, and the council appointed in England was publicly revealed. The President of the council was Edward Wingfield. The colony had some of the most useful and enterprising members; for instance Captain John Smith, who was one of its magistrates. Mr. Smith was very much devoted to the best interests of the colony; despite associate danger and suffering. His spirit of self denial and patriotism ensured successful establishment of the colony (Benard 167). However, some of his colleagues in office made absurd allegations, out o f fear of his growing influence, that he planned to usurp government, and declare himself King. He was later on subjected to fair hearing, and the verdict acquitted of the charges. He immediately thereafter occupied his seat in the colonial council. The colony during the infant stages faced several challenges. Want of harmony and inefficiencies were increasingly realized during the operations of the council. The provisions and supplies were inadequate, and of inferior quality. The neighboring Indian tribes became hostile and jealous. The major challenge was that the people in the settlements were affected by high levels of sickness; this led a large proportion of the population in the colony to an early grave (Sams 107). This included Captain Gosnold, the initiator of the enterprise. This poor condition of the colony was improved after the arrival of Captain Newport. He came with supply provisions, and extra men. Captain Nelson also came with more provisions and additional emigrants. The population of the colony thus increased to 200 men. During the end of 1608, the colonial population increased further due to arrival of seventy more colonialists, some of who were people of distinction. By early 1609, the London Company had not achieved its projected profits from their Virginia settlement. This led to Company to obtain a new charter form the King, with additional privileges. In this charter, Lord de La War (Thomas West) was made governor for life. In this newly introduce act of incorporation, the company styled itself “The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and Planters for the First Colony in Virginia.” The company now received absolute property, in things that had been previously held in trust; this is the territory from Port comfort extending along the coast and the land from sea to sea. Lord De La War on being appointed governor immediately dispatched to Virginia, America nine ships with 500 men, under the authority of his lieutenant, Sir Thomas Gates, and his admiral, Sir George Somers (Benard 247). Colony of Massachusetts The first English settlement was established in Massachusetts in 1620, following the establishment of Plymouth Colony. This establishment was done by the Pilgrims, and they sailed on Mayflower. The second colony, which lasted for a short duration was started at Wessagusset, near Plymouth, in 1622 (Egnal 49). In 1630, a large Puritan migration started, and established the Massachusetts Bay colony. This spurred other New England’s colonies settlements. Friction of the settlers with the natives increased, and this started the Pequot war during the 1630s, and in 1670s, the King Phillip’s War. These colonies were conservative religiously. The Massachusetts Bay colony for instance, deported and even executed individuals whose views were in conflict with the narrow Puritan views. The Massachusetts Bay colony increasingly clashed with their political opponents, including several Kings in England, due to its levels of religious intolerance, and aspects of its charter. The colony allowed businessmen to form wide ranging links, by sending ships to Europe and the West Indies, and at times shipping goods contrary to the Navigation Acts. This major trade, religious and political issues led to revocation, in 1984, of the Massachusetts charter (Labare 89). In 1686, King James II formed the Dominion of New England to manage New England, and to centralize royal authority, but weaken local governments. This unpopular rule ended in 1689, when the Glorious Revolution uprising overthrew King James II. King William III started the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1691, to oversee a territory equal in size to modern commonwealth and Maine. The governors were crown appointed; contrary to predecessor colonies which elected governors. This approach increased conflicts between the crown and the colonialists, climaxing at the beginning of the American Revolution during the 1760s and 1770s (Wood 192). Massachusetts was where the American Revolution started in 1775. The revolution was supported by the people of Massachusetts, until Britain in 1783 officially recognized the United States. Due to inadequate hard currency in the, the Massachusetts Bay government in 1652 started a mint to generate colonial currency, the Massachusetts pound (Wood 170). Due to restoration of Charles II in 1660 to the throne, the government actions were keenly scrutinized. Navigation legislations were enacted to regulate trade. Massachusetts had superior merchant fleet, but it often acted contrary to the trade regulations. This is because the Massachusetts government war reluctant in enforcing the trade laws. The unfair trade practices, integrated with intolerant religious actions, and declining the Church of England to work in the colony, made Charles II to officially vacate in 1684 the Massachusetts charter. When James II was overthrown in 1688 by the Queen Mary and the King William, Boston colonialists removed in 1689 Andrew and his officials. Both Plymouth and Massachusetts returned to their former governments up to 1962. In the course of King Williams War, between 1689 and 1697, the colony began a failed expedition against Quebec, in 1690 under Sir Williams Phips. This was financed through issuing paper bonds against the expected gains of taking the city (Egnal 81). The colony was on the front parts of the war, and faced a lot of Indian and French raids on its western and northern frontiers. Conclusion Overall, the Massachusetts and the Virginia colonies had great differences than similarities, despite the fact that they were both started by the English. The significant differences in government, economy and religion produced two very unique societies. Work Cited Bernard, W. Savagism and civility: Indians and Englishmen in Colonial Virginia. NY: Penguin. 2007. Egnal, M. A Mighty Empire: the Origins of the American Revolution. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. 2008. Labaree, B. Colonial Massachusetts: a History. Millwood, NY: KTO Press. 2005. Sams, C. The Conquest of Virginia: the Forest Primeval; an Account Based on Original Documents. New York and London: G.P. Putnams Sons. 2006. Wood, S. The American Revolution: A History. New York: Modern Library. 2002. Read More