1993 DBQ Essay

In the 1600s there was still much to uncover in the New World. People from all over set out to discover what they could, and settle in this unknown territory. The English colonists came to the New World and settled in the New England and Chesapeake regions. The New England colonies developed differently than the Chesapeake colonies due to their differing motivations for settlement, social systems, and economic emphasis. In the early 17th Century the Puritans settled in New England, forming the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Massachusetts settlers were first and foremost interested in religion. They had come to America to separate themselves from the English Anglican Church and to be able to practice their beliefs freely. As shown by Document B, the first member listed - and therefore the most prominent figure - on one of the ships bound for New England was a minister, underlying the importance the Puritans placed on religion. Accordingly, Document A shows how John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, desired to achieve the ideal Puritan city, a “city upon a hill,” that provided other Puritan towns a perfect example of what to be like. The settlers wanted to create a permanent religious settlement with a strong sense of a Puritan community in which everyone helped out and was kind to one another. Their shared interest in religion enabled them to get along well with each other and keep their colony organized, with documents such as the Articles of Agreement (Document D). Also, they urged traders and workmen to follow a honorable and ethical code and keep their prices and wages fair and created the General Courts, which, based on majority vote, regulated trade and commerce (Document E).
In contrast, the Chesapeake colonies were settled to bring a profit rather than for familial and religious reasons. The settlers that came to New