Chesapeake Colonies, Essay Example

Debating the reasons why events such as the witchcraft trials in New England and the Bacon Rebellion in Virginia occurred is a difficult proposition. The reasons are varied but there are some unique features of the cultures in both regions that offer at least a rudimentary understanding of what occurred.

In understanding the witchcraft trials, it is imperative to remember that the witchcraft allegations arose in what was then a strict Puritan community[1]. There was constant friction between the residents in the area who wanted to practice their Puritan faith in accordance with long standing traditions and those who were willing to adjust to the social pressures of other settlers who were not as devoted to their religion. Although the Massachusetts colony had been founded for religious reasons, as time went on, non-Puritan settlers established themselves and there was considerable pressure for traditional Puritans to distinguish themselves as being different from these new settlers. Accusing someone of witchcraft was a convenient way to identify members of the Puritan church who had someone swayed from strict practices and to warn others who might be considering swaying.

In the Virginia colony, there was far more religious diversification and little Puritan influence. The Virginia colonies were also less organized along community lines and there was more highly developed concept of oneness as a one entity. As such, problems that occurred in the governing of the colony had a more universal appeal. In New England, at least in the days of the Bacon Rebellion, each community was more concerned with self-government at a local level and issues on the colonial level were viewed with little interest. Loyalty to one’s individual colony was much stronger in Virginia than it was in Massachusetts and, therefore, widespread concerns such as those that led to the Bacon Rebellion were more likely to take root in Virginia while being ignored in Massachusetts.

References

Jess Blumberg, “A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials,” Smithsonian.com (October 24, 2007). accessed on March 29, 2012. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/brief-salem.html.

Global Security.org, Bacon’s Rebellion, accessed on March 29, 2012 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/bacon.htm.