Thirteen colonies and a handful of brave people was the start of what would eventually become one of the most powerful nations in the world. That statement is why it is important to study the development of the early colonies in America. There were three main regions of British-controlled colonies called the Chesapeake, New England, and Middle Atlantic regions. There is much to learn by looking at the similarities and differences of these regions. The colonies of New England, the Chesapeake, Middle Atlantic regions had differences such as values, groups of people, and health status; however, they also had some similarities such as the people living there had been pushed and pulled from Old England. The three regions of British North America …show more content…
Citizens of Old England were pushed away from their home country as a result of the social, religious, but most importantly economic changes that were taking place. Staring in the 1650s, the population and economy increased dramatically as a result of the Agricultural Revolution. This Revolution caused a boom in food production and wages which eventually led to a huge population growth as well. With all of these new people needing food, England developed into a total commercial/mercantilist economy. All of these factors caused the rich to get richer, and the poor to get poorer. The poor members of society were then forced to move from village to village to find employment and make a living, and these people became known as the “Strolling Poor.” Citizens, such as Robert Cushman, began to take notice of the poverty around them, and they were genuinely afraid of what the future of Old England would contain. Cushman witnesses how difficult it is for a man to find work and purchase his own land. He even states, “There is such pressing and oppressing in town and country, about farms, trade, traffick, &c. so as a man can hardly any where set up a trade but he shall pull down two of his neighbours.” All of these issues pushed citizens of Old England away; however,