Final answer:
Quakers differed from Puritans in their radical religious practices, rejection of traditional religious hierarchy, and belief in gender and social equality. These differences caused conflicts that led to the Quakers' persecution in England and in Puritan colonies. Pennsylvania provided a refuge for Quakers, where they could practice their beliefs without persecution, attracting many settlers who sought religious freedom and equality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Quakers, also known as the Society of Friends, were different from the Puritans in several significant ways. While both groups were critical of the Church of England, the Quakers went further in their rejection of traditional religious practices. They rejected all sacraments, liturgies, and paid ministries, opting instead for quiet contemplation and the direct experience of the Holy Spirit. Unlike the hierarchically-minded Puritans, Quakers practiced religious and social equality, including equal rights for men and women within the church.
The differences between Quakers and Puritans led to tension and conflict. Quakers' refusal to pay tithes, bear arms, take oaths, or adhere to the traditional social hierarchy was seen as radical and unsettling. This non-conformity, and their tendency to interrupt Anglican and Puritan services, led to their persecution by English and colonial governments. Quakers faced fines, public whippings, and imprisonment, and Massachusetts went as far as executing early Quakers for their proselytizing activism.
However, the Quakers found a haven in Pennsylvania, a colony founded by the Quaker William Penn. Pennsylvania was distinctive for its religious tolerance and absence of an official church, standing in contrast to New England's Puritan establishment. Here, the Quakers were able to practice their faith freely, which led to a large influx of settlers seeking religious freedom and social equality.