Final answer:
The Quakers first focused on New Jersey for their colonial endeavor, which was split into East Jersey and West Jersey due to unrest and the quest for a place to practice their faith without persecution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first colonial endeavor of the Quaker sect focused on the colony of New Jersey, which was indeed temporarily split into two separate entities: East Jersey and West Jersey. The Quakers, led by investors like William Penn, sought to establish a haven in the Americas due to significant persecution faced back in England and in some of the other colonies, such as Massachusetts. New Jersey became the initial step towards creating a Quaker colony where they could freely practice their beliefs.
Due to internal unrest within New Jersey, and the desire to create a sanctuary for the Quakers, the colony was divided in 1676 into East Jersey and West Jersey, reflecting a division in ownership and governance. This division was part of the complex process of colonization that included negotiation with existing settlers, the English crown, and among the Quakers themselves. Ultimately, this endeavor laid the groundwork for the later establishment of Pennsylvania, another Quaker stronghold.