The American Republic Since 1877 © 2007

Chapter 2: The English Arrive in America, 1607—1763

Web Lesson Plans

Introduction
Students have read about the English settlement of the Middle Colonies during the 17th century. In this activity students will research William Penn and the government he established in Pennsylvania.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the William Penn Web site to learn about William Penn and the establishment of Pennsylvania. Students will read about the early life of Penn, his desire to establish a tolerant government, the creation of Pennsylvania's provincial Assembly, and the success of the colony. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by creating a poster that advertises Pennsylvania for settlement.

1. Students will identify William Penn and examine the principles upon which he established the government of Pennsylvania, one of the Middle Colonies.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to create a poster that advertises Pennsylvania for settlement.

1. Penn respected the Native Americans who inhabited the Pennsylvania territories. Even though the King had granted him a charter to the area, Penn was careful to purchase the land from the Native Americans. This set a precedent for peaceful negotiations between Native Americans and Pennsylvanians.
2. In 1683 a law passed low taxes on cider and liquor, a low tariff on imports and on exported hides and furs.
3. Penn's tolerant policy attracted so many settlers that it became one of the largest colonies. Philadephia was a major commercial center, intellectual center, and became an important site of liberty where the delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution.
4. It was a constitution for Pennsylvania.
5. Students' posters will vary.