Differences Between the New England and Chesapeake Regions During Colonial Times

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Despite the common English backgrounds, societies in the New England and Chesapeake regions of Colonial America had split off into two incredibly different cultures: A very religiously focused New England and the more economic-oriented Chesapeake. Because these regions were settled for different purposes, the development of these societies led to the distinctions between them. One of the major causes for emigration, and what made one great distinction between the New England and Chesapeake Bay colonies was geography. The land in the New England colonies consisted of hills and rocks. When the colonists arrived here, their first view would have been the sight of dense forests, and they had to develop ways of life that suited to the landscape. The soil in New England was also full of large rocks, making it difficult to find large plots of land that could be used for crops. Being that New England was covered with trees, colonists used the trees for lumber and to build ships. Ships were used to fish or to hunt for whales, and with many ships, New England became the leader in ocean shipping and commerce. Colonists in New England also had to grow their own food, so they had small farms. Many people lived and worked in town, and grew crops or raised a few animals on a small farm. New Englanders did not live on large, independent farms like settlers in the middle and southern colonies because they did not have either flat land or rich soil. The Chesapeake Bay area, however, had many bodies of water flowing around, through, or near it. The proximity to all of this water affects the environment of the peninsula, causing it to have a very moderate climate. Colonists cleared land for agriculture and use hook and line to catch fish in the Bay's shallow waters. The region's fertile soil, plentiful supplies of fresh water, and situation on the Bay made this an ideal location for

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