Thanks Dragos for providing what philosophers would call “the naive position.” It’s important to remember that North America was in all respects identical to Europe (same atmosphere, gravity, fundamental biology, etc.) and so colonization was trivial. Furthermore, Europe was a mere three weeks away by sailing ship. Colonists could instantly be self-sufficient merely by chopping down trees and eating local animals & plants. Mars, on the other hand, is a very different proposition entirely. So your analogy is hopelessly misguided, being wrong on every single essential aspect.