William Penn And Jamestown Summary

When the first colonies on the eastern side of what is now the United States were first established, they were failures. The colonists could not produce what they needed for survival and the colonists often had conflict with the Native Americans, forcing some colonies to fail. After colonies began to almost be successful, for example Jamestown and Plymouth, more Europeans wanted to come to the new world for a variety of reasons, like religious freedom. The Quakers were a part of this group, settling in Pennsylvania under William Penn. The passage shows how the early Pennsylvania settlers were able to cooperate with the Native Americans and already present Swedes, build a fruitful colony, as well as continue their religious practices. Richard Townshend, a Quaker who traveled from England to Pennsylvania with William Penn aboard the Welcome, authored this passage about the early settlement. Townshend was very involved in the settlement, according to the passage, building and operating a mill and helping others with their shelters. His account, therefore, should be fairly accurate and provide insight on the settlement. Townshend's story gives insight on another colony, not just Jamestown or Plymouth, and how they survived. The only issue with his writing is he was eighty-three years …show more content…
Townshend shows how William Penn and the settlers were able to keep a good relationship with the Natives and Swedes. In this relationship, the settlers were able to purchase the necessary provisions to survive. Many colonies did not have this pleasure and fought with the Natives, as in the King Phillip's War in Massachusetts. The reason why they treated the Natives and Swedes with respect was mainly the settlers' religion. The Quakers did not believe in fighting and were a loving and caring people. This helped the settlers relations with the Natives and