The Massachusetts and Chesapeake colonies differed primarily in their motivations for settlement and social structures. Massachusetts, founded by Puritans, emphasized religious freedom and community, leading to a more homogeneous society with a focus on education and civic responsibility. In contrast, the Chesapeake colonies, primarily Virginia and Maryland, were established for economic gain, focusing on tobacco cultivation and relying heavily on indentured servitude and later African slavery. This resulted in a more diverse population and a social hierarchy based on wealth and land ownership in the Chesapeake region.
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