Final answer:
The most accurate contrast is that the Jamestown colonists sought economic opportunities, while the Plymouth colonists sought religious freedom. Jamestown, established for wealth and trade, notably tobacco, contrasted with Plymouth's quest for a society aligned with their religious convictions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that most accurately contrasts the Jamestown and Plymouth colonists is: A. Jamestown colonists were primarily seeking religious freedom, while Plymouth colonists were primarily motivated by economic opportunities.
In actuality, the Jamestown colonists, funded by the Virginia Company, were adventurers and entrepreneurs driven by the prospect of economic gain, particularly through the establishment of the tobacco industry, which ultimately became a major cash crop for the colony. They were interested in wealth creation and not in escaping from English religious practices but sought to transplant those ideals to a new setting. On the other hand, the Plymouth colonists, including the Pilgrims, were seeking religious freedom and formed the Mayflower Compact as an agreement of self-government when they arrived in what would become New England, years after the founding of Jamestown.
The Plymouth settlers aimed to escape persecution and the conformity to the Church of England, striving to live according to their religious beliefs. This contrast highlights the differing motivations between the groups—one primarily economic, and the other deeply rooted in religious conviction and the desire for freedom to practice their faith.