Compare And Contrast Of Jamestown And Plymouth

Essay, Research Paper

Will Collins

Per.# 2

Jamestown and Plymouth were the first two successful English colonies in North

America. Jamsetown was established in 1607 and Plymouth in 1620. These two colonies were

different yet had a number of striking similarities in Governments, reasons for settlements, and

differing economic activities.

Jamestown and Plymouth had many similarities. For example they both had some sort of

government in some way. Jamestown had the first legislative assembly among the western

hemisphere in 1619. This would later be called the, ?House of Burgesses.? This served as a good

model for many law making bodies in the U.S. Plymouth a similar government. Their

government consisted of general court. They also had a Governor. The government made laws

and also levied taxes. Plymouth was always one step ahead in their law making bodies. Another

similarity between the two is Plymouth and Jamestown both had excellent leadership among

their colonies. Plymouth?s main leaders were Governor Bradford (second Governor of Plymouth)

and Governor Carver. Jamestown?s leaders were Captain John Smith and Governor Berkeley.

James Smith held Jamestown together during their harder times in early settlement.

Plymouth and Jamestown also had many distinct differences. For example, they both had

different reasons for settlement. The Plymouth colony were in search for religious freedom from

their homeland. Jamestown on the other hand was seeking new land for different reasons.

Jamestown was in search for treasure to bring back to their home colonies across sea. They also

wanted to spread their faith (Christianity) to the natives. Another difference in these two were

their economic cultures. Jamestown experimented with many different things but their main crop

was tabacco. This new cash crop was found by John Rolfe. He also produced a new method of

curing the leaves. Along with tabacco Jamestown also produced corn and raised hogs.

Plymouth didn?t have much luck with farming. They took part of another era, trading. They

traded fur to the natives and locals. They also found an industry in fishing which was led under

the direction of Squanto.

These two colonies were both very different yet depicted many similarities. They

displayed great leadership bringing in a new era. With their successful settlements they brought

new opportunities to new land. Plymouth and Jamestown had enlightening colonies. They

revealed likes and differences but they provided a new way of life.