New England vs The South

The New England and Southern Colonies were both settled by the English and by 1700 the regions had evolved into two very distinct societies. The motivations of the two colonies were very different, and as a result the two colonies diverged in their goals. The Southern colonists were aiming for economic prosperity, while New England colonists were focused on religious freedom. In the south the economy was based on plantations and what that plantation grew. The cash crop for the south was Tobacco which was harvested by slaves. This significantly enhanced the economy because of such demand in England and very cheap labor. Such an economy created new class divisions and in effect of this the south created a distinctive social hierarchy and way of life. New England was founded and shaped very differently though. It was first established for religious motives whether to give complete religious freedom, or to isolate from other religions. New England was just as relentless to achieve their goals; just their goal was religiously based, which produced an economically modest colony. Economy was in the peripherals of New England as there main focus was religion, ethics, family ties, and the community.