What were the original settlers that came to America trying to escape?

Question

The original pilgrims. The colonist even before the revolutionary war? My family tree dates back to the 1600's here in the US that was before it was a country! Europe must have been bad at the time, what are some of the contributing factors? Was it cruel treatment of it's people, the never ending empires? What were the real O.G's looking for when they settled here on this fine continent? I'm sure it wasn't money originally. But then it turned to slavery which made the U.S the richest country in the world. A dark spot on our history. Do you really think Christopher Columbus wanted to build an empire? Or was the course of this country changed over and over until what we have today? I just hope the U.S.A doesn't turn into the historical Europe that once ruled it's people with an Iron fist. Which brings me to my next question. Should we strive for freedom, or for domination and perfection? Is that the real American way?

Also population these days. I wonder if they had planned on an explosion of people throughout it's course. But why do we put most of our populations in the cities and metro areas? We have enough land to create something special. One day this country will be developed in to a mecca.

Answer 1

Some came for religious reasons. Others for economic reasons, many in England had been forced off the land by the Enclosure Movement - which meant land owners kicked the peasants off the land in favor of fenced pastures for sheep. The right of primogeniture which meant the family title, estate and property went to the oldest son lead some to go abroad to seek their own fortunes, others were given the choice of going to the colonies or remaining in debtors prison. Some just had the wanderlust and wished to see new lands. Some had all or most off the reasons. So excess population was bled off to the colonies. But nearly all had an economic motive to have a better life.

Answer 2

The original settlers of the Americas arrived from Asia thousands of years before Columbus. The Europeans proved to be more savage.

The savagery continues in the form of trance formation by media. Few in the Americas or anywhere else is free. The message of the Internet is so pervasive almost no one is free. The messages we are given as mind chatter are opposed to our personal interests.

The purpose of all this adventure to the Americas has been to exploit the resources, human and other.

I ask you, what is perfect about domination? There is no perfection. The language of perfection is empty promises.
The weight of playing for perfection inhibits the spontaneity to be responsible. Do you see the same word root?

Answer 3

The settlers that you are talking about were trying to escape religious persecution and taxes.

The "real" O.G.'s to settle in the Americas were the Native Americans who most likely came over on the land bridge that connects Alaska to Russia. They were most likely nomads and were following the food. So they weren't fleeing, necessarily, they were just looking for a good place to set up camp, plant crops, and hunt some buffalo. They found it in America.

Hope this helps! :-)

Answer 4

They were trying to escape religious persecution, high taxes and other things. They weren't too smart in my opinion, because when they got here what did they name it? New England, New Amsterdam (New York), New Jersey. I mean, come on, think of something original. Also, now we pay taxes and are slowing turning into the controlling society that England once was when the Pilgrims left it.

Answer 5

Some of the earliest settlers came for the beaver skins. It was strictly financial, they had no interest in staying or colonizing. They invited poor germans to come and work for them and allegedly to spare them from religious persecution from their kings. Their real incentive was wealth.

Answer 6

In the main they were escaping persecution of some kind.

Answer 7

Religious persecution(perhaps taxes as well).

Answer 8

Religious persecution, thats it.

Answer 9

Those icy Siberian winters....