Why Colonists Came to America

Mission Brief #34

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Figure out how this changed the world.

⚡ The twist

History is written by the winners — keep asking what's missing.

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Many colonists came to America in search of a new life filled with opportunities. Some were looking for religious freedom, wanting to practice their beliefs without fear. Others sought riches and better land to farm. The promise of a fresh start made America an exciting place for those who dreamed of a brighter future.

Key facts

Remember these

1Some colonists wanted to escape religious persecution in their home countries.
2Many settlers were drawn by the opportunity to own land and start businesses.
3America was seen as a land of opportunity for a better life.

Timeline

When it happened

1607
Investors in the Virginia Company found Jamestown hoping for profit
1620
The Pilgrims sail to worship in their own way
1630
Puritans found the Massachusetts Bay Colony
1681
William Penn founds Pennsylvania as a haven for Quakers

Then & Now

The choices made back then are why the world looks like this now.

Mind = blown

Colonial children often learned their letters from a hornbook: a wooden paddle holding one printed page under a thin, clear layer of animal horn.

Question 1 of 2

Why did many colonists come to America?

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Question 2 of 2

What was one reason colonists wanted to own land?

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🌍 Why this still matters: Every road sign, every flag, every holiday — there's history hiding inside.

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👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “What's something from history you wish you could see in person?”

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