The pilgrims, who were Calvinist Protestants, came to America in 1620 in a ship called Mayflower for the purpose of freedom of religion or Christian freedom and for finding an identity.102 pilgrims who included English separatists, sailors along with other men and women came to America in search of a new life. They were against the teaching way of their native Church of England which they found to be too controlling.

The Pilgrims were the people with their own beliefs and did not agree with the way of worship of god by the church in England. They were the followers of John Calvin, who played an important role in the Reformation. In America, the pilgrims could praise the god without the England’s church influencing them. Here, they could practice any religion. The American constitution promises religious freedom which is a cherished right.

The pilgrims had requested the king of England through a petition for permission to form a church of their own. However, this was denied with the pilgrims deciding to shift to Holland in 1609. Soon, there was dissatisfaction and they moved to England. They wanted to travel to New World. They did not have the funds for it and took a loan.

They wanted religious freedom without the king’s interference. Originally destined for Virginia, they landed in New England. Their journey to Virginia could not be continued due to bad weather and storms. Their ship anchored near Plymouth in a bay. Here, they built a small village. One day one of the Native American Indian, Squanto visited them. He helped the pilgrims by teaching them hunting, fishing, foraging for the food and planting crops. With his help, the pilgrims were successful and celebrated their success in the feast of Thanksgiving.