Final answer:
William Penn was a man of wealth who converted to Quakerism and founded the colony of Pennsylvania, promoting religious freedom and friendly relationships with local tribes. His policies attracted immigrants, leading to the rapid growth of Pennsylvania, particularly its key city, Philadelphia.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Penn was a wealthy man who notably converted to Quakerism, a pacifist religious movement. In contrast to practices elsewhere, Penn established peaceful relationships with the regional Native American tribes, particularly the Lenni Lenape (Delaware) and the Susquehannock peoples. He bought land from these tribes fairly, not seizing it by force, and even signed a treaty in 1701 to maintain peace.
Penn founded the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681, receiving the land from England's Charles II to settle a debt. The colony offered a haven for Quakers and other religious groups who were facing persecution. Unlike other colonies, Pennsylvania allowed a high degree of religious freedom and did not establish an official church. To encourage settlement, Penn promised fifty acres of land to individuals who completed a term of service in the colony.
Most importantly, it must also be noted that Philadelphia, the principal city of Pennsylvania, saw massive growth due to its status as a major port city. As it attracted immigrants from all over Europe, it played an important role in the Atlantic world, especially in the African slave trade.
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