USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, was a leading defender of religious freedom. Born in London, England, Penn was the son of an admiral of the British fleet. He attended Oxford University until he was expelled for joining the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers.

Detailed explanation-2: -The colony of Pennsylvania was founded by Quaker William Penn, who had been granted a charter by King Charles II in repayment of a debt. Penn hoped Pennsylvania would be his “holy experiment, ” a land full of virtuous people whose morals and ethics would shape the government and society.

Detailed explanation-3: -Penn was part of a religious sect known as the Society of Friends. Its members were called “Quakers” by their enemies because their intense meetings sometimes led members to shake in fits of spiritual fervor.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many Quakers were Irish and Welsh, and they settled in the area immediately outside of Philadelphia. French Huguenot and Jewish settlers, together with Dutch, Swedes, and other groups, contributed in smaller numbers to the development of colonial Pennsylvania.

Detailed explanation-5: -Quakerism is a way of life, rather than a set of beliefs. It has roots in Christianity and many Quakers find the life and teachings of Jesus inspirational, but we have no creed.