No, not all colonists came to America on their own free will. While many did, some were also transported against their will as indentured servants or convicts. Indentured servants were individuals who agreed to work for a set period of time, usually seven years, in exchange for their passage to America. Convicts were those who had been found guilty of crimes and sentenced to transportation to the colonies instead of imprisonment. These individuals did not have the same freedoms as those who came voluntarily and often faced harsh conditions and limited opportunities.