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In modern history, the word "settlers" is synonymous with terms like pioneers, colonists, or (as British people once called them) "colonials". It has been argued that all peoples are "settlers", since migration has featured throughout human history and prehistory. However, the word settler is generally used only in relation to modern or early modern history.

The reason for emigration of settlers varies, but often includes one or more factors such as: economic or personal financial hardship; social, cultural, ethnic, or religious persecution (e.g. the Pilgrims, Mormons and Zionists), or; political oppression and/or policies aimed at encouraging foreign settlement.

The colony concerned is often, but not always, controlled by the government of a settler's home country, and emigration is usually, but not always, approved by an imperial government. The term settler is not usually used in relation to the later histories of well-established and/or independent, postcolonial countries with continuing immigration, like the present-day United States, Canada or Australia, where terms like immigrants are preferred.

In almost every real historical case, settlers live on land which previously belonged to long-established peoples, known as indigenous people (often called "natives", "Aborigines" or, in the Americas , "Indians"). This land is usually settled against the wishes of the indigenes, and then controlled, defended and expanded by force, or it is bought or leased from indigenous people on terms highly favourable to the settlers, sometimes under a treaty (e.g. the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand). In some cases (e.g. Australia), the legal ownership of some lands are contested much later by indigenous people, who seek or claim traditional usage, land rightsLand rights are those property rights that pertain to real estate, that is, land. Because land is a limited resource and property rights include the right to exclude others, land rights are a form of monopoly. Those without land rights must enter into lan, native titleIn Australian Law, the continued ownership of land by local Australian Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders is recognised by the grant of Native Title . The colonisation of Australia was conducted under the false assumption that the land was unoccupied ( and related forms of ownership or partial control.

In the Middle EastThe Middle East is a geographical and cultural area comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. The Middle East is a subregion of Afr, Israeli settlersIsraeli settlements are Jewish communities in areas under Israeli control as a result of the 1967 Six Day War. The term does not distinguish between communities established before 1948, subsequently destroyed by the Arabs, and communities newly establishe are Jews who have moved to areas also claimed by PalestinianPalestinian flag, adopted in 1948, is a widely recognized modern symbol of the Palestinian people. Palestinian While there are various older or different definitions of "Palestinian" (discussed in Definitions of Palestine#Palestinian), the overwhelming ma Arabs. It has been argued that Palestinians are themselves descended from "settlers" in the Land of IsraelThe Land of Israel (Hebrew: Eretz Yisrael refers to the land making up the ancient Jewish Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The term has been used by Jews and Christians throughout history. This territory includes the modern State of Israel, the West Bank and (which the Roman Emperor HadrianPublius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus ( January 24, 76 July 10, 138), known as Hadrian in English, was a Roman emperor from 117 138. He is considered one of the so-called Five Good Emperors''. Hadrian was born in Italica, Hispania, to a well-established settl had renamed PalestineFor varying definitions, see definitions of Palestine. Palestine ( Latin: Syria Palaestina Hebrew: Palestina Eretz Yisrael Arabic: Filasin , is a region in the Middle East extending inland from the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Its political sta in 135AD), after the Caliphate conquered the area in the 7th Century. However there are ties between Palestinians and peoples living in the region before that time.

The word "settler" was not originally usually used in relation to unfree labour immigrants, such as slaves (e.g. in the United States), indentured labourers (e.g. in South Africa), or convicts (e.g. in Australia). More recently descendants of these immigrants may argue that they have as much right to use the word "settler" as the descendants of free immigrants.

Although they are generally thought of as travelling by sea — the dominant form of travel in the early modern era — significant waves of settlement could also use long overland routes, such as the Great Trek by the Afrikaaners in South Africa, or the Oregon Trail in the United States.

Settlers in hypothetical societies, such as on other planets, often feature in science fiction or fantasy fiction and/or games.