1. How and why did Virginia develop differently than Massachusetts prior to 1700? Consider: geography (including climate) economy society (social structure, religion, towns) politics (gov’t structure)

2. Geography Virginia Massachusetts Bay Coastal plains
Slow moving, wide rivers
Chesapeake Bay
Three growing seasons
Massachusetts Bay
Rocky coastline, not much coastal plain
Deep, natural harbors
Hardwood trees
Short growing season, harsh winters

3. Economy Virginia Massachusetts Founded by joint stock company
Search for gold = starving time
Agriculture – TOBACCO
Headright system, indentured servants
Moving toward plantation society
Massachusetts
Trade ports
Fur, lumber, fishing
Merchant class
Church centered – pay “tax” to Church

4. Society Virginia Massachusetts Indentured servants, some slaves
Some wealth – headright system
Economic base – tobacco
Few towns, rural, spread out
Trouble with protection
Anglican church, not practiced consistently
Massachusetts
Puritanism!, “city upon a hill”, Great Migration
Follow church law or get kicked out (R. Williams and A. Hutchinson)
Social order dictated by standing in the church (ministers and church leaders at the top)
Puritan “work ethic”
Education (Harvard College 1636)

5. Politics Virginia Massachusetts Royal colony, royal governor
House of Burgesses
Land owners, elite held elected positions
Massachusetts
Church led (theocracy)
General Court
Mayflower Compact
Meetinghouse used for church and politics
Had to be a member of the Church