In the first decade of the seventeenth century, English immigrants began to arrive at the newly discovered land called America. Escaping from their poor, decrepit lives in England, these people longed for a peaceful, comfortable existence. In 1609, the first official settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia, in the Chesapeake Bay area. Separatists with the same origins and the same dreams arrived in Massachusetts in November of 1620 on the Mayflower. Within seventy years, these two establishments grew larger and larger. But as they developed, two distinct societies emerged because of vast differences in the values of the populace, political efficiency, and community intimacy.
The morals that the New England society established were far different from those of the Chesapeake Bay society. The settlers in Virginia arrived with the intention of finding gold, becoming rich, and living in luxury for the rest of their lives. As described by John Smith's History of Virginia (Doc F), the newcomers were only looking out for themselves.
But since no one took the time to set up shelters, many people perished when a harsh winter came. While the Virginian settlers arrived and expected quick success, the New Englanders made it their priority to earn their success through hard work. John Winthrop stated in his sermon, A Model of Christian Charity (Doc A), that their community will work to become a "city upon a hill", a perfect society that would set the standard for all cities. Being a Separatist, he wanted his "utopia" to put England to shame and force them to repent. The New England way involved heavy discipline, the teaching of manners and respect to children, a sincere worshipping of God, and keeping the community together. The Chesapeake Bay colonists looked for individual glory while the New England colonists searched for prosperity as...