William Penn Quaker Oats Man

The Quakers The Society of Friends Called Quakers because George Fox, their founder, had warned his persecutors they would someday “quake before the power of the Lord” Believed in concept of “Inner Light” – God is reflected from out of each person in different ways All forms of religious worship are reflection of the inner light of God and are worthy of respect Quakers offended religious & secular leaders in England.  Refused to pay taxes to support the Church of England.  Pacifists  They Believed all were children of God  refused to treat the upper classes with deference.  Kept hats on.  Addressed them as commoners  ”thees”/“thous.”  Wouldn’t take oaths.  met without paid clergy

Quaker Meeting (religious worship)

Sculpture in Philadelphia of Mary Dyer, a Quaker who was hanged in Boston by the Puritans in 1660

Aristocratic Englishman – attracted to the Quaker faith. Embraced Quakerism after military service  he received a grant from king to establish a colony.  This settled a debt the king owed his father.  Named Pennsylvania [“Penn’s Woods”]. He sent out paid agents and advertised for settlers  his pamphlets were pretty honest.  Liberal land policy attracted many immigrants. William Penn

Royal Land Grant to Penn

Migration of common people – working class Families and single men and women Pennsylvania: “The best poor man’s country.”

All people are equal - the “Inner Light” of God shines in everyone All religious worship is respected – freedom of religion Pacifists – non violent Distrust of “high and mighty” Rude to “hold yourself above others”

Penn & Native Americans Bought [didn’t simply take] land from Indians. Quakers went among the Indians unarmed. BUT…….. non-Quaker Europeans flooded PA  Treated native peoples poorly.  This undermined the actions of the Quakers!

Penn’s Treaty with the Native Americans

Government of Pennsylvania Representative assembly elected by landowners. No tax-supported church. Freedom of worship guaranteed to all. Forced to deny right to vote & hold office to Catholics & Jews by English govt. Death penalty only for treason & murder.  Compared to 200 capital crimes in England! Philadelphia- the “City of Brotherly Love”

Pennsylvanian Society many different people Attracted many different people  Religious refugees from other colonies.  Many different ethnic groups. No provision for military defense. No restrictions on immigration. No slavery!! “Blue Laws” [sumptuary laws]  against stage plays, cards, dice, excessive hilarity, etc. A society that gave its citizens economic opportunity, civil liberty, & religious freedom!!

Quaker Meeting Houses

Quaker Meeting House

William Penn’s house

Wealthy Quaker’s home

“Severely Simple”

Exercise, not competition

Quaker winter recreation

Quakers sounded like us Midland accent Standard American accent

Boiled foods “Enough is as good as a feast”

Education for practical purposes – to help you make a living Everyone needs some education – the “3 Rs” but… Too much education can be a bad thing – may cause people to think they are better than others

Tolerance for all religious beliefs Equality of all - everyone is God’s creation Non-violence Quakers have been at the forefront of peace and social justice movements throughout America’s history