The colonies needed many slaves to do the heavy work. The migration of Europeans to America caused migration in Europe too. Many people looking for work were on the move towards the harbours from where the ships left. Another migration kept alive by migration of Europeans to America, amongst other things, was the regional labour migration. The Europeans that left to go to America to earn more money than at home left jobs behind, that were taken over by labourers from poorer countries.
Some colonial powers send their dissidents to the colonies, England for instance.
This resulted in a commercial and religious success, but it also led to a revolution against the colonial power. France on the other hand, did not allow the Huguenots to go to New France. This hindered the economic development of the colonies, because the Huguenots were skilful sailors and merchants. People also came from India. 13 Mennonite-families went to Pennsylvania.