>>45533
Circumstances were right for sure. But that needs men to make the right decisions to exploit the circumstances.
One more circumstance you did not mention (I'm sure there are others) is the large number of disgruntled Europeans who wanted to find another home.
>never had to work or fight for anything
The Civil War was quite bloody and tough. But in general they could play this thing on easy mode as far as conflicts go.

Now I want to play Colonization.