The history of English Immigration to America began in the 1600's when England established colonies on the east coast of North America. The colonists all belonged to the Anglo-Saxon race and shared the same ethnic origin, identity, language, heritage, culture, education, history and physical characteristics. Their new home was governed by England and they were bound by the same laws and allegiance to the British monarch. The land had been claimed by Britain and the first arrivals considered themselves to be settlers, rather than immigrants.