Compare And Contrast Massachusetts And Virginia

Virginia vs. Massachusetts The development of Virginia and Massachusetts has many similarities but also many differences. The two colonies have similar problems when trying to develop their towns but had different reasons for why they started them to begin with. while both had different driving forces, they both ultimately wanted the same thing, to form a successful new town. Though out the next paragraphs I will discuss these differences and similarities, as well as why I think Massachusetts was the more successful colony. I want to start with Virginia because well, they settled first. To understand Virginia’s failures and successes, we first need to understand how and why it was settled in the first place. At the time, the English were in competition with the Spanish to conquer new territories and obtain new wealth. The English basically wanted to not only find …show more content…
This became very important for them because they were able to form their own fishing and shipping charter which enabled them to export and import goods to and from their colony. Something this colony did that was unlike any other was their formation of public education. I found this extremely important because it meant that everyone could read and be informed about their government. The clergy, who were also part of government, received education as well which, I think, helped them in making more informed decisions about the colony. In 1642, the English Civil War begins and this Puritan colony is kind of forgotten about. The war ends in a kind of dictatorship and religious tolerance is made common, which the Puritans are not happy with. The puritans start to lose power and favor at this point. Later on, in 1675, Puritan towns are attacked during King Philips War and the Puritan confidence is severely shaken, but eventually rebuilt after the Salem Witch Trials in the early