What types of settlers primarily populated New England?

The correct answer identifies that the primary settlers of New England were English, specifically those who followed the Puritan faith and engaged in farming. The Puritans, who sought religious freedom and the ability to practice their beliefs without persecution, heavily influenced the culture and social structure of New England. They established communities with a focus on a strict moral code and an emphasis on education, aiming to create a "city upon a hill" that exemplified their values.

In addition to Puritans, other English settlers who came to New England were primarily farmers, adapting to the local environment by cultivating crops and raising livestock. This agricultural community formed the backbone of New England society in the colonial period.

The other choices reflect inaccuracies regarding the primary demographics of New England settlers. While Irish farmers eventually migrated to other regions, they were not a significant group in the early years of New England's settlement. Quakers did establish communities in parts of the New World, particularly in Pennsylvania, but they were not as prominent in New England as the Puritans. Lastly, although the French and Dutch played roles in early North American colonization, they were more concentrated in areas like Canada and parts of the Middle Colonies rather than New England specifically.