The imperial powers that conquered and colonized the New World had different approaches to religion and religion often guided rulers' decisions and the way in which the Native Peoples or First Nations were treated. There is somewhat of a misconception that religion was the most important factor in the colonization of the British Colonies in North America (later to become the United States). While the Puritans certainly came to the New World seeking freedom of religion, the Virginia Company in the Chesapeake region had more secular goals. Therefore, there were regional differences in how critical religion became to the colonists. The conversion of indigenous peoples was not a priority in New England or Virginia. The Spanish and French, however, saw religious conversion as an important part of colonization.