Colonial Pennsylvania

Dianna Milano

Before it was a colony…

• Before any European settlers arrived in what is now Pennsylvania, Native Americans inhabited the area.

• As early as 1647, Swedish, Dutch and English Settlers were living there as well.

• In 1681, Pennsylvania officially became a colony.• In 1682, the city plan for Philadelphia was laid

out and the frame of government for Pennsylvania was also put into effect.

Map of Colonial Pennsylvania

William Penn

• Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn in the search for religious freedom for a group of people known as the Quakers.

• Pennsylvania literally means “Penn’s Woods”

Brief History of William Penn

• Born in London on October 14th, 1644 • The son of Sir William Penn, an eminent English

admiral• He became a Quaker during his studies• This caused many problems with him and his father • Eventually this led Penn to going to America and

founding Pennsylvania• He was instrumental in Philadelphia becoming one

of the most important cities in colonial times

Quakers

• Quakers were a group of religious people who refused to recognize all social ranks, or to pay taxes to carry on wars.

• They originated in England but they fled to America to escape religious persecution.

• They were not greeted with open arms in Massachusetts or the other colonies so William Penn made it his goal to set up a new colony.

• With the money he inherited from his fathers death he bought the land that became Pennsylvania, from the King of England.

General Beliefs of Quakers

• Quakers are pacifists, committed to non violence and anti war activities.

• Quakers are allowed to drink alcohol, but are warned against drinking to excess.

• Quakers are 'anti-Clerical', believe that God and an understanding of God comes best from within and not from the teachings of a spiritual leader.

• Some extreme Quakers are committed to what is known as plainness in dress and speech. They prefer simple colors and styles of clothing, usually handmade, and remain reserved in speech and temperament.

• They refer to themselves as “Friends”.

Other Settlers

• In addition to the Quakers, Pennsylvania was largely inhabited by Germans, which is why Pennsylvania has a large amount of Pennsylvania Dutch people today, and Scotch Irish because of the hardships in Ireland

• There were also 4,000 African American slaves in Pennsylvania by 1730

• Although Quakers did not believe in slavery, the Germans and Irish had them

Agriculture

• Even in Colonial times, Pennsylvania has been an agricultural leader

• By the 1750s an amazing farming area had developed in southeastern Pennsylvania.

• Wheat and corn were the leading crops

• Rye, hemp, and flax were also important crops.

Current East Coast Colonial East Coast

The Pennsylvania Chronicle

• The Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser was an American colonial newspaper founded in 1767

• It was published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prior to the American Revolution

• It was founded by William Goddard and his business partners Joseph Galloway and Thomas Wharton. Benjamin Franklin was also a partner with the Chronicle

The Pennsylvania Chronicle

• The newspaper was established to challenge the power of the Penn family and ultimately the Crown authorities who at that time were placing laws and taxes on the colonists without fair representation in the British Parliament.

Colonial Newspapers

• Newspapers were a way for the colonial leaders to communicate news to the rest of the community.

• It was the only way people could learn what was going on in the their own city, and their neighboring colonies.

• There was another news paper in Pennsylvania called the “Pennsylvania Gazette”

The Pennsylvania Gazette

• The Pennsylvania Gazette was one of the United States' most prominent newspapers from 1728 until the American Revolution.

• Benjamin Franklin printed this paper and also wrote many political pieces under aliases.

First Political Cartoon

• Benjamin Franklin used the Pennsylvania Gazette to illustrate various points about the British.

• This was the first political cartoon in an American newspaper

• It signifies the push for unity within the colonies.

Join or Die

• Ironically, this cartoon had nothing to do with the British at first, but instead it urged unity to defend the colonies from the French and Indian War.

• Ten years later, this cartoon was then used as the face of unity within the colonies in the face of the British and the Revolutionary War.

Join or Die

• A snake is used in this political cartoon because of a popular folk lore in colonial times.

• It was believed that a snake that had been cut into pieces could come back to life if reassembled before sunset.

• This stressed the importance that although the colonies did not always believe the same things, if they could come together on the issue of the French and Indian war, they could survive.

Entertainment

• Unlike Europeans at the time, the colonists did not get to enjoy concerts, museums and plays for entertainment, even in their major cities.

• Americans found entertainment in folk music, conversation with friends, books, and newspapers though.

• By 1750, every major city had a newspaper • Philadelphia was more advanced than most

though.

Philadelphia and the Arts• Philadelphia was known in colonial times as the "Athens of

America" because of its rich cultural life. • Because of William Penn and his liberal way of thinking,

Pennsylvania was noted for the variety and strength of its intellectual and educational institutions and interests.

• In 1740, an academy held its first classes. This became the College of Philadelphia and ultimately grew into the University of Pennsylvania. It was the only nondenominational college of the colonial period.

• The arts and sciences flourished, and the public buildings of Philadelphia were the marvel of the colonies.

• Newspapers and magazines flourished, as did law and medicine.

• Pennsylvania can claim America's first hospital, first library, and first insurance company.

Restrictions in Colonial Pennsylvania

• Because of their strict religion, Quakers were not allowed to participate in things such as gambling, horse racing, singing, dancing, and play-acting.

• Oddly enough, Taverns were becoming more and more popular in Pennsylvania and other colonies though.

Children

• Kids in colonial Pennsylvania play many of the same games we play today.

• Leap frog, marbles, hopscotch, blind man's bluff and pick up sticks were all games enjoyed back then and now.

• They also played with dolls, tops, puzzles and other toys that could be made easily.

The First Library

• By the first half of the 18th century some colonists could even borrow books from America's first library, established by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia.

• Many Pennsylvanians used reading as a form of entertainment once it was more accessible.

Architecture

• In architecture, the red brick construction of southeastern Pennsylvania was supplemented by buildings in the Greek Revival style.

• The New England influence was strong in the domestic architecture of the northern counties.

Pennsylvania During the Revolution

• While Pennsylvania was trying to form and organize becoming a state, they were also providing leadership and providing a meeting place for the men who were concerned with building a country.

• Philadelphia was the nations capital during the revolution.

• The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both signed and ratified in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania was a unique and important colony and without it the United States wouldn’t be

the country it is today.

Works Cited

• Colonial America: History and Culture. UNCP, 21 Sept. 2001. Web. 28 Jan. 2011. <http://www.uncp.edu>

• "Colonial Pennsylvania." Founding Fathers Information. 29 Jan. 2011. <http://www.foundingfathers.info/>

• Pennsylvania State History. 28 Jan. 2011. <http://www.legis.state.pa.us>

• William Penn. Independence Hall Association, 2010. Jan. 2011. <http://www.ushistory.org>