What can be said about the motivations of settlers in the Thirteen English colonies regarding slavery?

The motivations of settlers in the Thirteen English colonies regarding slavery were significantly influenced by economic factors. Many settlers, particularly in the Southern colonies, were driven by the opportunity to acquire land and establish plantations. The labor-intensive nature of cash crops like tobacco, rice, and later cotton made the utilization of enslaved labor particularly appealing. Owning slaves allowed settlers to increase their production significantly, improve their profits, and ultimately build wealth.

While there were settlers who sought freedom from persecution and aimed to create communities based on religious or ideological principles, these motivations were not primarily focused on slavery. The trade empire was more associated with mercantilist policies and interests of the British Crown rather than individual settlers' motivations. Utopian societies often promoted ideals of equality and freedom, which contradicted the institution of slavery. Therefore, the desire to own slaves aligns most directly with economic motivations prevalent among settlers in the Southern colonies, making it the correct identification of their motivations regarding slavery.