Why Colonists Came to America: Freedom, Opportunity, and Escape

What is one reason colonists came to America? Colonists came to America for multiple reasons: freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, to practice their religion, or to escape persecution. Different groups came for different reasons, but common themes were seeking a better life than they had in Europe and escaping various forms of oppression or hardship. America represented opportunity, freedom, and a fresh start.

For the citizenship test, you can give any of these answers: freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice their religion, or escape persecution.

The Essential Facts

For the citizenship test, remember that colonists came to America for:

Freedom: General answer covering many types of freedom
Political liberty: Escape from monarchies and gain self-government
Religious freedom: Practice religion without persecution
Economic opportunity: Own land, find jobs, build prosperity
Practice their religion: Worship according to their beliefs
Escape persecution: Flee religious, political, or economic oppression

Any one of these answers is correct. Choose the easiest for you to remember.

Complete Explanation

This question is similar to Question 47 (Why did colonists come to America). For full details about:

• Religious groups seeking freedom (Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, Catholics)
• Economic motivations (land ownership, escape from poverty, trade)
• Political reasons (escape from monarchy, desire for self-government)
• Specific examples from different colonies
• The reality versus the dream
• How different groups had different motivations

See our complete article “Why Colonists Came to America: Freedom and Opportunity” (Question 47) in the uscis-questions category.

Quick Summary

Here’s what you need to know:

Religious Freedom:
Many colonists fled religious persecution:

• Pilgrims (1620): Sought to worship separately from Church of England
• Puritans (1630s): Wanted to purify the Church of England
• Quakers (1680s): Founded Pennsylvania to escape persecution
• Catholics (1634): Maryland provided haven for Catholics
• Huguenots (French Protestants): Fled Catholic France

Economic Opportunity:

• Land ownership: In Europe, most land was owned by nobility; common people could rarely own land
• Escape poverty: Cities were overcrowded, jobs scarce, poverty widespread
• Prosperity: America offered opportunities to build wealth through hard work
• Trade: Merchants sought business opportunities
• Natural resources: Abundant resources could be exploited for profit

Political Liberty:

• Escape monarchy: Europeans lived under kings with absolute or near-absolute power
• Self-government: Colonial legislatures gave ordinary men political voice
• Freedom from aristocracy: America lacked hereditary nobility
• Fresh start: Escape legal troubles or debts

Escape Persecution:

• Religious minorities faced discrimination, imprisonment, or death
• Political dissidents fled prosecution
• Debtors sought relief from crushing obligations

Regional Differences

Different colonies attracted different groups:

New England:

• Primarily religious refugees (Pilgrims, Puritans)
• Sought to create religious communities
• Strong emphasis on faith and community

Middle Colonies:

• Most diverse (English, Dutch, German, Scots-Irish)
• Mix of religious freedom seekers and economic opportunists
• Pennsylvania especially welcoming to religious minorities

Southern Colonies:

• More focused on economic opportunity
• Plantation agriculture attracted profit-seekers
• Indentured servants sought economic advancement
• Large enslaved population (brought by force, not choice)

The Reality

While America offered opportunities, reality was harsh:

Hardships:

• High mortality from disease
• Backbreaking physical labor
• Conflicts with Native Americans
• Harsh winters and unfamiliar environment
• Years of struggle before stability

Limitations:

• Freedom was limited (women, enslaved people, Native Americans excluded)
• Religious tolerance was imperfect (Puritans persecuted dissenters)
• Economic success was not guaranteed
• Class distinctions remained

Despite hardships, America genuinely offered more opportunity and freedom than Europe for many people.

Key Examples

Pilgrims (1620):

• Religious Separatists who wanted to worship independently
• Fled England to Holland, then to America
• Founded Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts

Puritans (1630):

• Wanted to purify the Church of England
• Thousands migrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony
• Sought to create a “City upon a Hill”—a model religious community

William Penn (1681):

• Quaker who founded Pennsylvania
• Created colony as refuge for Quakers and other persecuted groups
• Promoted religious tolerance and fair treatment of Native Americans

Lord Baltimore (1634):

• Founded Maryland as haven for Catholics
• Catholics faced severe persecution in Protestant England
• Maryland Toleration Act (1649) protected Christian religious freedom

James Oglethorpe (1733):

• Founded Georgia partly as place for debtors to start fresh
• Though Georgia never primarily filled this role
• Concept showed America as land of second chances

Why This Matters Today

Understanding colonial motivations matters because:

American Identity:
America’s identity as land of opportunity and freedom comes from colonial experience. These founding motivations still shape national character.

Immigration:
The reasons colonists came mirror why immigrants come today: freedom, opportunity, safety, better life for families.

Religious Freedom:
Colonial experience with religious persecution influenced the First Amendment protecting religious freedom.

Economic Opportunity:
The “American Dream”—that anyone can succeed through hard work—originated in colonial promises of land and prosperity.

Political Values:
Colonial desire for self-government influenced American democracy and suspicion of concentrated power.

Connections to Other Questions

This question connects to:

• Question 47: Why did colonists come to America (detailed version)
• Question 48: Who lived in America before Europeans arrived
• Question 50: Why colonists fought the British
• Question 51-52: Declaration of Independence

Understanding colonial motivations helps explain why colonists eventually fought for independence—they came seeking freedom and self-government, which Britain increasingly denied.

What to Memorize

For the citizenship test, memorize at least one reason:

Easiest answer: Freedom (covers multiple types)

Other good answers:

• Religious freedom
• Economic opportunity
• Political liberty
• Escape persecution
• Practice their religion

Choose one you can explain briefly if asked to clarify.

Don’t overcomplicate: You don’t need to give multiple reasons or detailed explanations. One clear answer is sufficient.

Common Follow-up Questions

If the examiner asks you to explain further:

“What kind of freedom?”
Religious freedom, political freedom, or economic opportunity. Any is correct.

“Give an example”
Pilgrims came for religious freedom. Puritans came to practice their religion. People came to own land.

“Why did YOUR ancestors come?” (if applicable)
Answer honestly about your own family if you know. If you don’t know, that’s fine—say you’re not sure.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Which answer should I give?
Any of the acceptable answers: freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice their religion, or escape persecution. Choose one you’re comfortable explaining.

Is “freedom” too vague?
No. Freedom is an acceptable answer covering multiple types of freedom colonists sought.

Do I need to give multiple reasons?
No. One reason is sufficient. Multiple reasons are fine but not necessary.

What if I don’t know much about colonial history?
You don’t need detailed knowledge. Just knowing one basic reason (like “religious freedom” or “economic opportunity”) is enough.

Can I say “to start a new life”?
While understandable, use one of the official answers: freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice their religion, or escape persecution.

Did all colonists come voluntarily?
No. Africans were brought by force as slaves. Some Europeans came as indentured servants under duress. But most European colonists came voluntarily.

Can I mention specific groups like Pilgrims?
Yes, giving examples (Pilgrims, Puritans) strengthens your answer, but it’s not required.

What if my answer is slightly different?
As long as it’s close to the acceptable answers and shows you understand why colonists came, it should be accepted.

How detailed should my answer be?
Brief and clear. “Colonists came for religious freedom” is sufficient. You don’t need to elaborate unless asked.

What should I memorize for the citizenship test?
Memorize one reason colonists came: freedom, religious freedom, economic opportunity, political liberty, to escape persecution, or to practice their religion. Being able to name one reason clearly is sufficient for the test.