Essay Compare And Contrast Jamestown And Plymouth Colony

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The Beginning of Jamestown and Plymouth Just like many others today, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, two different groups of British colonists arrived in North America in search for a better life. These two groups of people experienced many difficulties, but were still able to settle in and form their colonies. Jamestown colony was founded in 1607 and was led by Captain John Smith. Their focus for traveling to the western hemisphere was mainly for business and money which is why only men traveled, however they were very greedy and selfish. On the other hand, the Plymouth Plantation colony founded in 1620 and led by William Bradford, was established for religious reasons and consisted of full families that helped each other …show more content…

The pilgrims were English Puritans who arrived in the west for religious reasons. They wanted to separate from the Church of England and therefore brought families as a whole to start the Plymouth Plantation colony. It seemed like the Puritans were expecting an environment similar to theirs and they were not prepared for what was in the new land. “...they were encountered many times with cross winds and met with many fierce storms” (Bradford, William page 78). This shows how their home place was very different to this new land and they weren’t used to the natural weather from North America. “Besides what could they see, but a hideous and desolate wilderness… neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah (mountain from which Moses first viewed the Promised Land) to view from this wilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes;,” described William Bradford (Bradford, William page 8). This demonstrates the disappointment that the colonists had after suffering through many harsh conditions and illnesses. “But when he grew weak, they had compassion on him and helped him…” also explained Bradford (Bradford, William page 82). This quote shows that no matter what circumstances they faced, they all were able to help each other out and overcome their …show more content…

They both suffered many deaths due to starvation and came across with Native Americans. Both groups arrived in North America without knowing what life there was really like. They had no fresh water or food and therefore many people died of starvation. One of the advantages that both colonies had was the relations that they made with the Native Americans. “...We were at sea five months where we both spent our actual victual and lost the opportunity of the time and season to plant” (Smith, John page 73). Both groups, unfortunately came at a wrong time and weren’t prepared for the starvation they would be facing. From Jamestown, Captain John Smith encountered the Algonquian Indians who captured him and almost killed him if it wasn’t for Pocahontas, the chief’s daughter. After their conflict, Captain Smith and the Native Americans, compromised and traded some supplies and weapons for food. The Plymouth Plantation also faced some Native Americans throughout their settlement. They came across Samoset who was an English speaking Native American that guided them throughout the lands and helped communicate with other Natives. Just like Jamestown, Plymouth Plantation had been able to compromise with the Natives and trade goods with them. “Thus you may see what difficulties still crossed any good endeavor; and the good success of the business,”