Religious persecution: The Pilgrims were a group of English Puritans who faced religious persecution in England. The Church of England was the official religion, and Puritans were seen as dissenters. They were often punished for their beliefs, including imprisonment, fines, and even death.
Economic hardship: England was experiencing economic difficulties during the 17th century, and many people were struggling to make a living. The Pilgrims sought a better economic opportunity in America.
Political oppression: The Pilgrims also felt that they were politically oppressed in England. They believed that the monarchy and the aristocracy had too much power and that ordinary citizens had little say in the government.
Desire for religious freedom: The Pilgrims wanted to establish a new colony in America where they could practice their religion freely without fear of persecution.
For these reasons, the Pilgrims decided to leave England and journey to America in search of a new home.