Final answer:
The English settlers in Chesapeake (Virginia) were motivated by commercial interests, particularly tobacco cultivation, while New England (Massachusetts) settlers were religious families forming a community around the church. Both regions faced survival challenges due to conflicts with Native Americans and other struggles, but sustained themselves through economic activities – tobacco farming in Virginia and maritime activities in New England.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colonial experiences of the Chesapeake (Virginia) and New England (Massachusetts) colonies were vastly different due to variations in why settlers migrated, their societal structures, survival rates, and economic foundations.
In terms of motivation, the settlers of the Chesapeake colonies, such as Virginia and Maryland, were primarily driven by economic prospects. These English migrants hoped to turn a profit by growing tobacco, which they later discovered was their most profitable venture. On the other hand, settlers of New England colonies, like Massachusetts, were mainly Puritan families driven by religious motives.
The societal structures of these colonies also varied. Chesapeake colonies had a commercial orientation, while New England colonies, settled by Puritan families, had a religious orientation. Puritan society was built around the church, with families and their children contributing heavily to community work. In contrast, Chesapeake society was driven by laborers, often unmarried and unemployed young Englishmen, working the tobacco fields.
Survival rates were poor in both colonies due to conflicts with Native American tribes, disease and inadequate supplies. However, Virginia survived due to its profitable tobacco economy, despite internal conflicts among settlers and poor relations with native tribes. New England colonies also struggled but maintained steady growth due to the strong Puritan work ethic and family-oriented societal structure.
Finally, the colonies differed in their economic activities. Virginia and Maryland's economies centered primarily on tobacco cultivation, while in New England, an economy based around maritime activities evolved, transporting Virginian tobacco and West Indian sugar throughout the Atlantic world.
Learn more about Chesapeake and New England Colonies