THE QUAKERS

The Quakers made up the majority in Pennsylvania, but they were not like the Puritans. They did not create a theocracy, instead they believed in religious equality and diversity.

Pennsylvania was one of the first places where people had true religious freedom. Laws also allowed people to voice their opinions. Penn believed women should be educated and speak their ideas freely as men did. He wanted women and men to share equal rights.

They believed everyone was equal, regardless of race or religion. They allowed religious freedom and they got along with people of different religions and different cultures.

They were also pacifists, meaning they did not like war and did not participate in fighting. Many of the Quakers left England because they did not support England's wars.

Because of Quaker tolerance, many immigrants, including Scots, Germans, and French, settled in the area. Tolerance is the act of allowing things that someone may not agree with. American Indians who had been pushed off their land also came to Pennsylvania. Penn bought land peacefully from them. He learned their languages and never brought weapons to meetings. Pennsylvania was a place where everyone felt welcome. It became a place of diversity. Many different cultural groups called Pennsylvania home.

PHILADELPHIA

The city of Philadelphia was established in 1682 by William Penn. Philadelphia is Greek for "the city of brotherly love." He wanted to establish a pleasant open and healthy environment to complement his colony of freedom. He wanted plenty of green space and parks.

It became the capital of the Pennsylvania Colony and an important city in the early United States.