USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -They were less religious refugees than economic migrants. When the Pilgrims set sail from Europe in 1620, several powerful reasons propelled them across the Atlantic Ocean to make new lives in America-but religious liberty was not their most pressing concern.

Detailed explanation-2: -Why Did the Pilgrims Come to America? The pilgrims came to America in search of religious freedom. At the time, England required its citizens to belong to the Church of England. People wanted to practice their religious beliefs freely, and so many fled to the Netherlands, where laws were more flexible.

Detailed explanation-3: -Meanwhile, the Pilgrims are seen as the importers of religious freedom to the United States and stalwarts of the idea that each person should be able to worship as they choose, a narrative that is repeated annually during Thanksgiving celebrations.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many colonists came to America from England to escape religious persecution during the reign of King James I (r. 1603–1625) and of Charles I (r. 1625–1649), James’s son and successor, both of whom were hostile to the Puritans.

Detailed explanation-5: -And it begins with the pilgrims, who were Puritan Separatists, fleeing the Church of England, in search of a land where they could be religiously free.