Changes

What is a “colony”?  “Colony” defined:  “a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state.”  (Merriam-Webster dictionary)

What is a “colony”?  “Colony” defined:  “a body of people living in a new territory but retaining ties with the parent state.”  (Merriam-Webster dictionary)

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The growing colonies in Massachusetts and Virginia could not have been more different from each other, and it is remarkable they ever joined the same country.  Massachusetts was highly religious and motivated by faith.  Virginia was marginally religious and motivated by money.  Massachusetts did not allow slavery.  Virginia welcomed it.  Massachusetts grew the Indian crop of corn.  Virginia grew the Indian crop of tobacco.  Massachusetts settlers made greater efforts to get along with Indians and treat them fairly.  Massachusetts attracted new settlers based on religion.  Virginia attracted new settlers based on the “headright system,” by which land (usually 50 acres) was given to those who paid for the passage to the colony of an immigrant, who usually agreed to work as an “indentured servant” for free for fixed number of years on the land.   

The growing colonies in Massachusetts and Virginia could not have been more different from each other, and it is remarkable they ever joined the same country.  Massachusetts was highly religious and motivated by faith.  Virginia was marginally religious and motivated by money.  Massachusetts, more religious, had vocal opponents of slavery and neighboring Vermont was the first state to prohibit slavery in its Constitution, in 1777.  Virginia welcomed slavery.  Massachusetts grew the Indian crop of corn.  Virginia grew the Indian crop of tobacco.  Massachusetts settlers made greater efforts to get along with Indians and treat them fairly.  Massachusetts attracted new settlers based on religion.  Virginia attracted new settlers based on the “headright system,” by which land (usually 50 acres) was given to those who paid for the passage to the colony of an immigrant, who usually agreed to work as an “indentured servant” for free for fixed number of years on the land.   

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The stark contrast between Massachusetts and Virginia would ultimately lead, nearly 250 years later, to the Civil War.

The stark contrast between Massachusetts and Virginia would ultimately lead, nearly 250 years later, to the Civil War.