Pennsylvania Colony

Listen

The land that is now Pennsylvania was first claimed by the Swedes under Peter Minuit in 1638. Minuit had agreed to help them establish a colony after having a falling out with Dutch officials. Although the Swedes did colonize the region on the west banks of the Delaware River, known at the time as Nya Sverige, or New Sweden, they were attacked and displaced by the Dutch in 1655. In turn, the British would dispatch the Dutch from the region in 1664.

Pennsylvania was founded in 1681 by William Penn. Penn was issued a land grant by King Charles II largely because of a significant debt owed to his father, Admiral Penn. At the time, the grant was one of the largest in terms of area ever known. It was named Pennsylvania, which means Penn's Woods, after Admiral Penn.

Penn quickly established a government based on religious freedom for the Quakers. Quakers did not believe in the strict rules imposed by the Puritan church. They believed that people could have a direct relation with God, rather than one mediated by a minister. The colony's religious tolerance soon attracted German and Scottish immigrants, and promoted more peaceful relations with local Indians. Furthermore, it helped Philadelphia grow into the most important city in the thirteen colonies, and it helped establish Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where German "Deutsh" political and religious refugees formed farming communities.

The land that became Pennsylvania was first claimed by the ________________ in 1638.
1. English
2. Swedes
3. Dutch
4. Germans
The ____________ attacked the Swedes and took over their colony.
1. French
2. Dutch
3. English
4. Germans
The _______________ were the last to control the region when they gained control in 1664.
1. English
2. Dutch
3. Swedes
4. Germans
What does the word ‘dispatch’ mean in the following sentence?

In turn, the British would dispatch the Dutch from the region in 1664.
1. Control
2. Allow
3. Care for
4. Send Away
Pennsylvania was founded by:
1. King Charles
2. Admiral Penn
3. William Penn
4. Puritans
King Charles agreed to the land-grant that would become Pennsylvania to ….
1. get glory
2. repay a debt
3. make history
4. spread religion
Which of the following best describes William Penn’s ideas about religion?
1. He believed only one religion should exist
2. He did not believe in religious freedom
3. He believed strongly in religious freedom
4. The passage does not say
Which of the following is NOT true about the Quakers?
1. Their religious tolerance helped attract settlers from other countries
2. They weren’t as strict as the Puritans
3. They had peaceful relations with the local Indians
4. They believed people needed ministers to talk to God
What happened last?
1. The English took control of the land that would be Pennsylvania
2. The Dutch took control of the land that would be Pennsylvania
3. Admiral Penn received the land grant
4. 1680
Which of the following WAS NOT a result of Pennsylvania’s religious tolerance?
1. Immigrants came to the region
2. The land-grant was received by William Penn
3. Philadelphia became an important city
4. German political refugees formed farming communities