Virginia and Massachusetts: Compare and Contrast

Virginia and Massachusetts: Compare and Contrast

There were many social, economic and political differences between Virginia and Massachusetts. Rhode Island was founded by colonists looking for economic gain. Virginia was a way to make money with the natural resources and abundant land. Cotton and tobacco crops were popular crops in Virginia. Massachusetts was founds by Puritan families wishing to escape religious persecution and gain religious freedom. “In the Massachusetts Bay Colony the families were gathered in tight weaves of communities and towns. On the other hand, the colonists in Virginia colony understood that the cash crops like of tobacco can be of high profit. For this reason they started to geographically separate on the immense plantations. After this, communities developed from each plantation.” (Researchomatic.com)

Virginia had difficulty establishing itself, in the beginning there were many errors and failures. Massachusetts was very successful. The settlers made smart decisions in planning which resulted in a prosperous colony. Another difference in Virginia and Massachusetts was their leadership. Initially, Virginia had weak leadership until John Smith established a much more firm government system within the colony. Massachusetts had successful leadership from the beginning with Joseph Winthrop. The work ethic was also different between the two colonies. Virginia produced lazy workers and relied heavily on labor from the Natives. Unlike the workers in Virginia, the Puritans in Massachusetts were very hard-working and worked together.

Religion played a role in both colonies, however Massachusetts had a stronger religious base than Virginia. “The settlers at Jamestown were members of the Anglican faith, the official Church of England. The Pilgrims were dissenters from the Church of England and established the Puritan or Congregational Church.” (npa.com) Founded as a place to escape religious persecution, Massachusetts became a haven for...