Final answer:
Pennsylvania provided a good refuge for slaves due to its fair treatment of displaced tribes, the Quaker-led abolitionist efforts, and legislation such as the Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780. It was known for its religious tolerance and did not depend as heavily on slave labor as the southern colonies, making it an attractive destination for those seeking liberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pennsylvania was a good refuge for slaves for several reasons, primarily due to its more tolerant social climate on matters of freedom and slavery. During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the fair treatment of numerous displaced tribes and the colony's practice of religious tolerance established a reputation for Pennsylvania as a haven for those seeking liberty and escape from persecution. Quaker influence, particularly in Philadelphia, led to both ethical challenges to slavery and the creation of abolitionist efforts. These conditions, coupled with the legal moves such as the Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1780, made Pennsylvania an attractive destination for those escaping bondage.
As turmoil associated with slavery grew throughout the colonies, such as the Prigg v. Pennsylvania Supreme Court case, Pennsylvania's stance on the issue stood in sharp contrast to the southern states, where slavery was more entrenched and conditions were generally harsher. In addition to its ideological opposition to slavery, the economic and social makeup of Pennsylvania did not rely as heavily on slave labor as the southern plantations, creating a less hostile environment for African Americans, both free and enslaved.