Сочинение: Pennsylvania

Сочинение: Pennsylvania

Romanovska, Mariya, O.

American History – AMH2010

Section 1015

Colonization and Development of Pennsylvania

Outline:

I. Political history of Pennsylvania

A. Conflict between proprietary and Assembly

B. Conflict between people

II. Economical system of Pennsylvania

A. Agriculture

B. Manufacturing

C. Commerce and Transportation

III. Social and Cultural life in Pennsylvania

A. Different nationalities

B. Variety of religions

C. Arts and learning

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.