The Development of Pennsylvania The Quaker “Holy Experiment”

Who were the Quakers? Quakers were known as the “Society of Friends” They were persecuted against back in England because of many of their views. They were pacifists They did not pay taxes to English Crown. Believed all people were equal. The most famous of the Quakers would be William Penn.

Why create Pennsylvania? The king of England owed a large sum of money to William Penn’s Father. To pay the debt, the King granted a charter to William Penn for a piece of land west or New Jersey. William Penn wanted to create a safe haven for his fellow Quakers to practice their religion freely.

Treatment of Native Americans Quakers believed all people were created equal. William Penn created an agreement to purchase the territory that king had given him from the local Native Americans. Natives were treated rather fairly by the people and was enforced by William Penn’s government.

Treatment of Women Women were treated as equals more in Pennsylvania than in any other colony. Women could have a say in the local church. Women could have imput in govenrment matters. Women could own businesses.

Growth of Philadelphia This would be William Penn’s great city. Means “City of Brotherly Love” Used a gird pattern to layout the town. At the center were the most important buildings. Houses were laid out according to the gird pattern to make one of the most organized early colonial cities of its era.