Final answer:
Pennsylvania was founded by William Penn in 1681 after Charles II granted him the land to settle a debt owed to Penn's father for his naval service. Penn established the colony with Quaker values and rapidly developed it, attracting a diverse population and establishing self-governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Founding of Pennsylvania
In 1681, the English crown, headed by Charles II, settled a large debt by granting the land that would become Pennsylvania to William Penn. Penn's father, Admiral William Penn, played a crucial role in the English navy, capturing Jamaica from the Spanish and contributing to the restoration of Charles II. As compensation for the Admiral's services and the debt owed to him, the territory was bestowed upon his son, William Penn, who established the colony based on Quaker principles, including religious freedom and good relations with Native Americans.
The charter provided Penn with approximately 45,000 acres and the authority to govern the territory as he saw fit, subject to certain conditions like upholding the Navigation Acts and allowing appeals of colonial court decisions to be made in England. Despite some disputes over borders and governance, Pennsylvania developed rapidly thanks to Penn's efforts to recruit a diverse group of settlers, including Quakers, English, Welsh, Germans, and Ulster Scots. He also established Philadelphia as a critical economic hub.
Pennsylvania's governance evolved over time, especially after William and Mary temporarily deprived Penn of his powers, making it a royal colony. The colony's final government structure before the American Revolution offered its residents a high level of self-governance.