Question

Which statement best describes the early settlers of New England colonies?

A) They primarily sought economic opportunities and wealth.
B) Religious freedom was their primary motivation for settling in the New England colonies.
C) They were mostly seeking adventure and exploration opportunities.
D) The settlers were primarily escaping political turmoil in Europe.

Answer 1

The early settlers of New England colonies were primarily motivated by religious freedom, seeking to create communities aligned with their Puritan beliefs and facing persecution in England.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes the early settlers of New England colonies is that religious freedom was their primary motivation for settling in the New England colonies. The Puritan settlers and others sought to establish a society that aligned with their religious beliefs and practices, distinct from the Church of England, as they faced persecution back in England. While economic opportunities were a secondary motivation, the decisive factor for New England settlers was to create communities that reflected their quest for religious self-determination and to live according to their interpretations of scripture, as evidenced by the founding of the Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, New Haven, Connecticut, and Rhode Island colonies.