Which of the following pieces of evidence would best support the claim, "religious freedom was a key factor in the growth of the atlantic colonies"? the pilgrims came to the new world to escape religious persecution. rhode island, maryland, new york and pennsylvania all included freedom of religion in their constitutions. the quakers settled pennsylvania and made it a peaceable place for settlers to come to. the king of england ruled the colonies of georgia, virginia and the carolinas.