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Compare and contrast the settlements of Massachusetts and New England to Jamestown in regards to relations with American Indians and self-governance.

User ItzFlubby
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Final answer:

The settlements of Massachusetts and New England had more cooperative relationships with Native Americans and a strong tradition of self-governance, while Jamestown had a more hostile relationship with Native Americans and struggled with self-rule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The settlements of Massachusetts and New England had different relationships with American Indians and approaches to self-governance compared to Jamestown. In Massachusetts and New England, the colonists had more cooperative relationships with the Native Americans. For example, the Pilgrims at Plymouth learned from Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe, and established mutually beneficial trade and agricultural practices. They also cooperated with later Puritan settlers. On the other hand, Jamestown had a more hostile relationship with the Native Americans, often leading to conflicts and violence.

Regarding self-governance, Massachusetts and New England had a strong tradition of self-rule. The Pilgrims at Plymouth set a precedent of making their own rules, which later evolved into town meetings across colonial New England. This eventually led to the development of democratic systems like the Mayflower Compact and the establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Jamestown, on the other hand, initially struggled with self-governance and relied heavily on authoritarian rule from its founders.

User Dan MacBean
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