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Immigration to the New World  During the 1490’s European colonization began in the Americana Continents. The first countries that sent explorers were Spain and Portugal. As Spain and Portugal began to flourish in power and wealth; England saw America for its value. The English realized their power was becoming weak, yet they never did anything about it. Then the economy and social aspects became affected. The economy was in a depression, and toleration for religion was becoming nonexistent. The colonists wanted a way out. They saw the New World as an adventure, a way to start over, and an escape from the social difficulties. I believe that most of the colonists went willingly to the New World to find freedom. I think that almost all of the people immigrated because they had heard of Spain’s increase in wealth, and the gold of America. I don't believe the colonists went there to keep up with their rivals Spain and Portugal. The colonists thought it would be an easy task. They thought that they could voyage to the New World, and take back shipments of gold to England. They never considered the hardships of having to survive on their own. They were completely detached from England. The colonists soon realized that if they didn’t die because of the winter or voyage there; that the natives would kill most of them off. The food became less and less, and starvation set in. They were forced into acts of cannibalism by eating family members or even digging up graves. Through all of this though, the colonists stayed and the number of immigrants increased steadily year after year. Some reasons why they stayed could have been because of their pride, or it may have been because conditions in England were so poor that the issues they dealt with seemed minor to the ones back home. After many years the colonists soon realized the trick to survival. They began small and grew into large villages and towns. Colonization in the New World became a big deal when success started to appear. The rulers back in England saw that their people were starting to do well without them, which caused worry. They began pushing colonization more. The colonists learned that life wasn’t always easy, and the “gentlemen” that first came, that were still alive, no longer had the chose not to work. Everyone had to do their part if they wanted to continue their life in America. Besides the hard work though, the colonists also had freedom to have and practice whatever religion they believed in. They were able to teach their beliefs without ridicule and criticism. The toleration of religion also led to a rapid increase in population in the American colonies. The colonists chose to come because they wanted to be removed from the horrors of England. They came for freedom, and to get rid of the grasp England had on their lives.