New England and Southern Colonies: Comparison of Historical Struggles
New England and Southern Colonies: Comparison of Historical Struggles
Introduction
Religion, population, and slavery are factors that define the differences in three colonial
segments of America (Roark, 2008). Because of the differences of the people in each of the
colonial segments, people in each of the regions were so different. The settlers from
England
were religious while those from other European countries did not regard religion highly hence
the propagation of slavery.
America
was divided into three colonial regions; northern (
New England
), middle, and southern colonies.
Challenges faced by the New England and Southern Colonies
New England was made up of four colonies: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Ne
w Hampshire
. The population of people in
New England
was mainly of English origin. Africans who lived in
New England
were sold as slaves to other colonies. Slave trade was the main source of wealth among
inhabitants of
New England
. There were forms of indentured servants who agreed to work for someone, for six to ten years,
if they facilitated their journey to
America
. Religion in
New England
was strict.
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New England and Southern Colonies: Comparison of Historical Struggles
Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, and South and North Carolina were America’s southern colonies
(Ibid). The composition of the population in these colonies was largely made up of black people.
The white population was diverse comprising English, Germans, Dutch and Irish. These
colonies are different from the other of England’s 13 American colonies, in the sense that they
are the states in which slave labor was highly exploited to support economic development. The
growing of tobacco, indigo, rice, and plantation agriculture created a significant need of labor in
these colonies. With the absence of farm machinery, human labor was needed for planting,
cultivating, and harvesting the crops. The southern and the
New England
colonies both depended on agriculture for the growth of the economy
Despite these differences, the Southern and the New England colonies had similar challenges.
The colonial era was marked by changing conditions. The older colonies both in the north and in
the south were undergoing changes in institutions and ideas. They were struggling with the task
of striking a balance between good ideals and common frailties of humanity. They had to deal
with slavery and the lack of labor, shortages of food, lack of education institutions, and wider
adoption of religion.
Response to Challenges
The colonies making up New England had majority of its population being Puritans (Roark,
2008). Puritans highly regarded education not only for learning the Bible but also for economic
growth.
Harvard University was built in 1636 in Massachu
setts
and
later on a college was established in
Virginia
. Families also began to produce their own food. They planted crops in their field to feed their
own families. Farming was expanded to include fish production and poultry farming. Also
hunting for diverse sources of food was done in the new land. Animals such as rabbits and
turkey became the new sources of food. Each member of the colonial family performed its
responsibility as regards household chores.
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New England and Southern Colonies: Comparison of Historical Struggles
Religion was also highly regarded in the New England due to the influence of puritans ho were
dominant. Farming was also intensified in the
New England
colonies. Tobacco, cotton, and indigo were produced in
Virginia
and exported to other colonies.
Rye
, wheat, rice and barley became the major crops. In the north the strong religious influence,
good economic base, and a healthy climate led to the development of a more coherent
societies. The southern colonies were politically unstable and socially volatile due to racial and
class divisions. To stabilize political and social environment, families took up responsibility of
farming and participated in faming activities. Paid labor was also obtained rather than the use of
slaves. They also adopted education and religion.
References
Roark, J. (2008). “The American Promise: A History of the United States (4th ed.)”. New York,
NY: Bedford St. Martin’s Press
.
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