Quakers and William Penn

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Brief Introduction

Quakerism began in England.

Quakers founded the colony of Pennsylvania, which set an example for the rest of the colonies with its religious freedom policy, ethnic diversity and liberal voting rights.

Quakers also were early advocates for the abolition of slavery.

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Origins of Quakerism

George Fox(1624-1691) started the Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, in England during the 1640s

"Inner light"

All humans are equal

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Pacifism

Origin of the word "Quaker"

Quaker meeting at Gracechurch Street ©

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Immigration to North America

Persecution in England

Fox and his followers were persecuted in England for their beliefs, prompting immigration to North America.

Persecution in the New World

Quaker missionaries arrived in the USA in 1656. They were persecuted at first, and four were executed.

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Founding of Pennsylvania

On March 4, 1681, Charles II signed a charter for territory west of the Delaware River and north of Maryland to William Penn.The King proposed the name "Pennsylvania" which meant "Forests of Penn"--honoring Penn's late father, the Admiral.

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William Penn(1644~1718)

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The Quaker Colony of Pennsylvania

Frame of Government

"Men being born with a title to perfect freedom and uncontrolled enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the law of nature ... no one can be put out of his estate and subjected to the political view of another, without his consent."

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The Quaker Colony of Pennsylvania

secure private property, virtually unlimited free enterprise, a free press, trial by jury and, of course, religious toleration.

encouraged women to get an education and speak out as men did

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The Quaker Colony of Pennsylvania

low taxes

the first constitution to provide for peaceful change through amendments

residents from varied backgrounds

relations with the Indians

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William Penn's Great Treaty: a Peaceful Solution

"the only treaty between those people [Indians and Christians] that was not ratified by an oath, and that was never broken." ——Voltaire

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After Penn’s death, Pennsylvania slowly drifted away from a colony founded by religion to a secular state dominated by commerce.

With an atmosphere of liberty, Philadelphia started to rise.

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By creating Pennsylvania, Penn set an enormously important example for liberty. He showed that people who are courageous enough, persistent enough, and resourceful enough can live free. He went beyond the natural right theories of his friend John Locke and showed how a free society would actually work. He showed how individuals of different races and religions can live together peacefully when they mind their own business. He affirmed the resilient optimism of free people.

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