Question

What was the causes and scope of diversity in the colonial population of the early-eighteenth century

Answer 1

In the Colonial era of America, the population was already incredibly diverse in stark comparison to the European nations. Already, a large number of European nations went out to colonize the American lands bringing in Spanish, British, Dutch, French, Swedish, etc. customs and religions with them and their people. Most of the first colonies were not set up in direct authority with the mother country, but were set up for religious and economic purposes as well. Quakers moved for religious purposes to Pennsylvania as did the Pilgrims and Protestants who moved to New England. Most religious groups that moved to the Americas moved for religious freedom and tolerance. Also in the South, a large number of Africans were bought onto plantations for the purpose of generating cash crops. The frontier saw immigrants from parts of Europe come for the purpose of purchasing cheap land. German, Irish, English, Dutch and Swiss are key groups who moved the colonies from Europe.