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Difficulty: MediumEuropean Colonization Models

“Virginia and Maryland... are both of one temperature and disposition... the labor of the country is tobacco, and this is the only commodity that is made, and is the current coin of the country... The inhabitants are generally of two sorts: the first are those who have transported themselves, or are transported by others, under covenants of servitude for a term of years; the second are those who having served their times, are become freemen...”

— John Hammond, Leah and Rachel, or, the Two Fruitfull Sisters Virginia and Mary-land, 1656

Based on the passage, which of the following was a major difference between the model of colonization in the Chesapeake region and the model established in New England during the seventeenth century?

  1. A
    New England colonization featured similar dispersed settlement patterns focused on the production of staple crops for global markets.
  2. New England colonization was characterized by family-based migration and a diversified economy, whereas the Chesapeake relied on single laborers and a cash-crop economy.Answer
  3. C
    New England relied on a system of permanent, hereditary chattel slavery to meet its labor demands, whereas the Chesapeake relied exclusively on voluntary indentured servants.
  4. D
    New England colonies established a free-market economy exempt from British imperial regulation, whereas the Chesapeake was strictly managed by royal monopolies.

Answer

New England colonization was characterized by family-based migration and a diversified economy, whereas the Chesapeake relied on single laborers and a cash-crop economy.
The correct option is correct because the New England colonies were settled mostly by Puritan families seeking religious freedom, which led to a society built around tight-knit towns and a diversified economy (comprising subsistence farming, logging, shipbuilding, and trade). In contrast, the Chesapeake colonies (Virginia and Maryland) were settled primarily by young, single male indentured servants seeking economic opportunity, leading to a highly dispersed population oriented around tobacco plantations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the provided stimulus to identify the core characteristics of the Chesapeake colonization model.
The passage describes the Chesapeake economy as heavily reliant on a single cash crop (tobacco) and a labor force dominated by individuals bound by 'covenants of servitude' (indentured servants).
Understanding the context of the stimulus is essential for identifying the characteristics of the Chesapeake region.
2
Recall the characteristics of the New England colonization model during the seventeenth century.
New England was settled primarily by Puritans migrating as family units, resulting in a relatively balanced gender ratio, close-knit town communities, and a diversified economy including family farming, fishing, and commerce.
Contrasting the Chesapeake model with the New England model requires knowing the defining social and economic features of both regions.
3
Compare the two models to determine the primary difference.
The option asserting that New England was characterized by family-based migration and a diversified economy, while the Chesapeake relied on single laborers and a cash-crop economy, is the correct historical contrast.
This direct comparison demonstrates mastery of the different European colonization models in British North America.

Key Concept

Comparison of British colonial models between the Chesapeake and New England regions during the seventeenth century.
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Topics

European Colonization Models

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