In 1607, English settlers established Jamestown in Virginia and grew to a population of 15,000 people by 1647. That year, Opechancanough led an attack on English settlements along the James River in response to their invasion and growth. By 1664, the English had secured control of the North American continent through conquests like their defeat of New Netherland, establishing colonies like Virginia, Maryland, and the middle colonies of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, which attracted diverse non-English emigrants.