Colonization and
Development of Pennsylvania
King Charles II
owed William Penn £16,000, money which Admiral Penn had lent him. Penn
asked the King to grant him land in the territory between Lord Baltimore's
province of Maryland and the Duke of York's province of New York. With the
Duke's support, Penn's petition was granted. The King signed the Charter of
Pennsylvania on March 4, 1681, and it was officially proclaimed on April 2. The
King named the new colony in honor of William Penn's father; here the history
of the successful and tolerant colony begins. Pennsylvania played a very important
role in development of what we know as United States of America now.
Political history
of Pennsylvania is very bright and controversial. There was a natural conflict
between the proprietary and popular elements in the government. As a result of
the English Revolution of 1688, Penn was deprived of his province. A popular
party led by David Lloyd demanded greater powers for the Assembly. In December
1699, the Proprietor again visited Pennsylvania and, just before his return to
England, agreed with the Assembly on a revised constitution, the Charter of
Privileges. This gave the Assembly full legislative powers and permitted the
three Delaware counties to have a separate legislature. William Penn's heirs
were often in conflict with the Assembly, which was usually dominated by the
Quakers. The people of the frontier areas contended with the people of the
older, southeastern region for more adequate representation in the Assembly and
better protection in time of war.
Economical system
of Pennsylvania is its strength and proud. From its beginning, Pennsylvania
ranked as a leading agricultural area and produced surpluses for export, adding
to its wealth. Wheat and corn were the leading crops. Prosperous farming area
was developed in southeastern parts of colony. Arts, crafts, and textile
production grew rapidly. Sawmills and gristmills appeared, using the power of
the streams. Shipbuilding became important on the Delaware. The province early
gained importance in iron manufacture. Printing, publishing, and papermaking,
as well as tanning, were significant industries. The rivers were important as
early arteries of commerce and were soon supplemented by roads in the
southeastern area. Trade with the Indians for furs was important in the
colonial period. Later, the transport and sale of farm products to Philadelphia
and Baltimore, by water and road, formed an important business. Philadelphia
became one of the most important foreign trade centers and the commercial
metropolis in the colonies.
Pennsylvania had
very rich cultural and social life. First of all, Pennsylvania was
multi-cultural. The failure of all attempts by Indians and colonists to live
side by side led the Indians to migrate westward, leaving Pennsylvania. Open
territories were shared by majority of English Quakers, thousands of Germans,
Scotch-Irish (which became one-fourth of population), smaller groups of Irish,
Welsh, French, Jewish, Dutch and Swedes and African Americans,(mostly slaves
and servants). Pennsylvania was popular for its religious tolerance. Big
Lutheran and later Catholic churches, as well as smaller sects: Mennonites,
Amish, German Baptist Brethren or "Dunkers," Schwenkfelders, and
Moravians were common for this area. Because of the liberality of Penn's
principles and the freedom of expression that prevailed, the province was noted
for the variety and strength of its intellectual and educational institutions
and interests. An academy which held its first classes in 1740 became the
College of Philadelphia in 1755, and ultimately grew into the University of
Pennsylvania. It was the only nondenominational college of the colonial period.
The arts, the sciences, and the public buildings of Philadelphia were the
marvel of the colonies. Many fine old buildings in the Philadelphia area still
bear witness to the richness of Pennsylvania's civilization in the 18th
century. Newspapers and magazines flourished, as did law and medicine.
Pennsylvania can claim America's first hospital, first library, and first
insurance company.
Established by
William Penn Pennsylvania was very successful, and played an important role in
development of Middle English colonies and America in general. By 1776, the
Province of Pennsylvania had become the third largest English colony in
America, though next to the last to be founded. Its bright political history,
(which provided people with Charter of Privileges), well-developed, prolific
economical system, and rich cultural life during colonial period impresses even
nowadays.
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