Final answer:
The Separatists, or Pilgrims, left Europe for New England to practice their reformed Protestantism freely, separate from what they viewed as the corrupt Church of England. They signed the Mayflower Compact, which outlined their religious and political intentions for the new colony, where they could create a new English Israel.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Separatists, also known as Pilgrims, left Europe and settled in New England primarily to seek the freedom to practice their religion without interference. They were dissatisfied with what they viewed as the corruption within the Church of England and sought to create a community rooted in their Puritan values. In 1620, after receiving a charter from the Virginia Company and permission from the English Crown, they set sail on the Mayflower, landing in present-day Massachusetts. There, they signed the Mayflower Compact, emphasizing their desire to establish a new society for 'the glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith,' separate from the Church of England.
Leaders like William Bradford envisioned forming communities focused on reformed Protestantism, setting out to create a model of reformed Protestantism, a new English Israel. The Mayflower Compact laid the political and religious foundation for this new settlement. These aspirations and actions distinguished them from other English colonies, such as Jamestown, which were primarily economically motivated.
The Puritan Separatists represented a challenge to the English national church and were motivated by the vision of propagating and advancing their faith in a new world free of religious persecution. In contrast to other Puritan groups, the Pilgrims (a subset of Puritans) were unique in their determination to completely separate from the Church of England and create a godly community adhering to strict religious principles.