Which of the following was not among the chief values adopted by early settlers in the United States?

The value of limited government was not among the chief values adopted by early settlers in the United States in the same way that religious freedom, individual liberty, and private property were. Early settlers arrived in America largely for the purpose of escaping the constraints imposed by European governments, particularly the monarchies that exercised significant control over religious and personal freedoms. As a result, they prioritized establishing a society that emphasized individual rights and liberties, particularly in terms of practicing their faith without interference.

Religious freedom was a fundamental principle for various groups, such as the Pilgrims and Puritans, who sought to create communities based on their interpretation of religious beliefs. Individual liberty emerged strongly in the early formation of American society, as settlers sought to assert their rights and govern their lives without authoritarian oversight. Private property was a significant value as well, as the acquisition of land represented not only economic opportunity but also a form of personal autonomy and security.

While the concept of limited government would later become an influential aspect of American political philosophy, it was not initially a driving value among the early settlers to the same degree as the others mentioned. The focus was more on establishing rights and freedoms against oppressive governance rather than on the constraints of government power itself.