What motivated the Separatists, known as the "Saints," to write the Mayflower Compact?

The motivation behind the Separatists, referred to as the "Saints," to write the Mayflower Compact primarily stemmed from their flight from religious persecution. These individuals left England due to the oppressive environment they faced for their beliefs. They sought a place where they could worship freely and practice their religion without fear of retribution or constraint from the Church of England or the English government.

The Mayflower Compact was created as a foundational agreement to establish a government for their new settlement in America, ensuring that they could maintain their religious practices and self-governance in a new land. This document was not merely about creating a civil society but was deeply intertwined with their longing for religious freedom and the ability to live according to their convictions. Thus, the central focus of the Compact reflected their desire to establish a community based on shared beliefs and mutual consent rather than simply economic or adventurous pursuits.