The pilgrims left England primarily to escape religious persecution. They were a group of English Separatists who sought to practice their faith freely, as they were facing oppression due to their departure from the Church of England. They initially fled to the Netherlands, hoping for greater religious freedom, but ultimately decided to settle in North America, where they could establish their own community based on their religious beliefs.
While the pursuit of riches and land was a factor that attracted many settlers to the New World, the primary motivation for the Pilgrims, specifically those who settled in Plymouth in 1620, was their desire for religious freedom rather than the search for gold, silver, or a warmer climate. The "Mayflower Compact" they created also reflected their intention to establish a self-governing colony grounded in their own religious convictions.