5. Substantiating the thesis with historical evidence Prompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the Chesapeake and New England colonies differed, and account for why the major differences in development occurred. Discuss how the development of these colonies affected American Indians in those regions.
Thesis:
The Chesapeake and New England colonies differed greatly and developed into two distinct societies based on their geography, reasons for founding, and economic characteristics. Despite these significant differences, they had many similarities, including the type of relationship they had with American Indians.
Sample essay excerpt:
The two regions developed different economies, which in turn affected the development of their societies. First, the Chesapeake colonies of Virginia and Maryland had economies that depended on plantation agriculture. These colonies specialized in the production of cash crops, primarily tobacco. To meet their labor needs, both colonies depended first on indentured servants, and later on enslaved workers. Most people lived in rural areas, and few large settlements were established. In contrast, the New England colonies, such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, had diverse economies based on the production of a wide variety of goods and services. New England colonists worked in shipping, shipbuilding, fishing, whaling, and lumbering. All farming was done on a smaller scale, primarily to feed families, and most people lived in towns or in the growing cities of the region, such as Boston. These economic differences were primarily due to geography. The Chesapeake colonies had a mild climate, fertile land, and good access to water, making the region perfect for growing tobacco for export. New England soil was rocky, and growing seasons were much shorter. As a result, large-scale plantation agriculture was not feasible.
Read the above prompt, thesis, and excerpt carefully. What are the requirements for providing evidence, and how well does the excerpt use evidence to substantiate the thesis? (20 points)