Final answer:
People sailed to America with the Pilgrims primarily for religious freedom, although economic and political reasons also played a role. The search for religious freedom was central to the Pilgrims, leading to the Mayflower Compact and principles of self-governance in their new settlement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The motivation for people sailing to America with the Pilgrims includes a search for religious freedom, among other factors. While economic opportunities and political reasons were also impactful, the Pilgrims, in particular, sought to separate from the Church of England, which they felt had not sufficiently distanced itself from Catholic practices. Their settlement in Plymouth led to the forming of the Mayflower Compact, which established principles of self-government. This venture, influenced by the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, was part of a broader pattern of colonization that included both those seeking economic opportunities as envisioned in the American Dream and those escaping religious persecution.