Final answer:
William Penn disliked cities due to crowded conditions and wanted to prevent them in Philadelphia. He sold land to Quakers, recruited settlers, and chose a strategic location for the city. Early Philadelphia had religious tolerance and economic opportunities, becoming an important port city in America.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Penn disliked cities because of their crowded conditions and the negative aspects associated with urbanization, such as pollution and crime. He hoped to prevent crowded conditions like London by designing and founding a new city, Philadelphia, with an emphasis on low population density.
To encourage low population density, Penn sold plots of land to fellow Quakers, who in turn could distribute them to settlers. He also recruited settlers from all over Europe, promising equal rights and financial opportunities.
Penn chose the site for Philadelphia because of its strategic location on the Delaware River, which allowed for easy transportation and trade. However, the location was contested because of conflicting land claims by both the English and the Native Americans.
Life in early Philadelphia was characterized by religious tolerance, economic opportunities, and a diverse population. The city became important in early America due to its role as a thriving port city, attracting Quaker merchants, and immigrants, and serving as a center of trade.