Pennsylvania Colony

William Penn

The Swedish, the Dutch, and the English

The land that is now Pennsylvania was actually 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.

The Largest Land-Grant

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.

Quaker Refuge Established with Religious Freedom

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 established Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where German “Deutsh” political and religious refugees formed farming communities.

Click here to learn more about William Penn | Click here to learn more about the Quakers

Discussion Questions

  1. Which countries controlled the land that became Pennsylvania before the English?
  2. Why did William Penn receive the land that became Pennsylvania?
  3. What made the Quaker beliefs different from the Puritans?
  4. How did religious freedom help Pennsylvania grow?

Glossary

  • Quakers – A religious group that believed in equality and peaceful worship without church leaders.
  • Land grant – A gift of land from a government or king to an individual or group.
  • New Sweden – The Swedish colony along the Delaware River in the 1600s.
  • Pennsylvania Dutch Country – Farming communities settled by German immigrants in Pennsylvania.

The Swedish, the Dutch, and the English

The area that is now Pennsylvania was first claimed by the Swedes in 1638. Peter Minuit helped them build a colony called New Sweden along the Delaware River. In 1655, the Dutch attacked and took control. Then in 1664, the British took the land from the Dutch.

The Largest Land-Grant

In 1681, King Charles II gave William Penn a large piece of land to repay a debt owed to Penn’s father, Admiral Penn. The land was named Pennsylvania, which means "Penn’s Woods."

Religious Freedom and the Quakers

William Penn was a Quaker and created a colony with religious freedom. Quakers believed people could speak directly to God without needing a minister. This freedom attracted people from many countries and led to better relations with Native Americans. Pennsylvania grew quickly, especially the city of Philadelphia and farming areas known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
Pennsylvania Colony Activities