Pennsylvania

=Pennsylvania=

//__**Geography:**__// Pennsylvania is located in the mid Atlantic region. It is about 46,058 square miles. The colony is surrounded by New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, and Ohio. It's main geographic features are rivers, hills, and valleys. Some of the main rivers are the Delaware, Genesee, Ohio, and the Susquehanna rives. Pennsylvania had a lot amount of land which then was cleared for farming. This created a strong agriculture in the colony. There are some high and low elevations in this colony as well. The mountainous region can range from 100 ft above sea level, all the way up to 3,213 ft. One of the tallest mountains, Mount Davis located in the Allegheny Mountain Range. The Appalachian Mountains, also extend into Western Pennsylvania. The geography affected the colony's agriculture, because of its vast amount of land. The large forests were knocked down, to create fields for farming. The weather conditions were great in this Colony with temperate climates and mild, but long winters.

//"Pennsylvania." United States Geography. ABC-ClO, 2010. Web. 22 September//

//__History:__//
The Colony of Pennsylvania was founded in the year, 1681. King Charles II gave a man by the name of William Penn the colony. One month after he was granted this Colony, he was advertising this wonderful place. People from mostly England, Ireland, and Wales traveled the far distance to begin a new life in Pennsylvania. They didn't travel there until August of 1962. William Penn himself, was looking to make money off rent and land being purchased. But his main goal was to seek religious freedom. Quakers separated from the Church of England and set themselves to begin their new lives in the Colony. Not only was it a religious place, but also a political place as well. Before Penn went off to the new world, he had set up the frame for a government. There would be a governor, council, and an assembly. Penn wanted the Colony to be a holy commonwealth, full of peace, and religious toleration. This would be an example for the nations. Many Native American tribes lived in the Pennsylvania region. Some tribes include: Delaware, Erie, Iroquois, Shawnee, and the Susquehanna.

//"Pennsylvania Founded, 1681." DISCovering U.S History. Detroit: Gale, 1997. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.//

//__Economics:__//
Many of the colonists farmed for food. Pennsylvania was mainly based off of agriculture and livestock. There was a lot of land and good farming conditions. Wheat and Corn were abundant. Pennsylvania had many rivers and was on the Atlantic Coast, so shipbuilding was also popular. With abundant resources and ships, the Colony was able to trade as their main principal of commerce. Pennsylvania had a good location and many valuable resources.

//"Pennsylvania." United States Geography. ABC-ClO, 2010. Web. 22 September 2010.// http://www.pennsylvaniaroots.com/history-5.html

//__**Social:**__//
The languages spoken in Pennsylvania were primarily English and German. The freedom of worship and religion was granted to all citizens of Pennsylvania. Founder, William Penn, and the Quakers benefited mightily with protection from religious prosecution. In Pennsylvania, women were counted upon for the spinning and weaving of cloth, raising of families, and working as midwives.

**//__Political:__//**
Pennsylvania was given a Proprietary Charter from 1681-1692, a Royal Charter from 1692-1694, and back to a Proprietary Charter from 1694-1776. A representative assembly elected by landowners made up the colony's government structure.

__**//Terms://**__
1.) Triangle Trade - Trade between the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Philadelphia became a major port of entry for ships in trade. 2.) Salutary Neglect – Great Britain's policy in the early 1700s of not interfering in the American Colonies' politics and economy as long as such neglect served British economic interests. Pennsylvania had its own government structure and religious tolerances that were not interfered with by Great Britain. 3.) Mercantilism - Economic theory that a country should acquire as much bullion, or gold and silver, as possible, by exporting more goods than it imports. Pennsylvania had a profitable mix of agriculture and commerce that helped support its mother country, Great Britain. 4.) Great Awakening – Religious revival in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. Religious tolerance was granted in the colony; thus attracting groups such as the quakers and puritans alike. 5.) Cash Crops – Crops that are grown for sale. Wheat, barley, and rye were the main cash crops of the Pennsylvania colony.

**//__Road to Revolution__//**
//French and Indian War:// Pennsylvania was was the place of numerous territorial altercations involving the Native Americans during the French and Indian War. After the French and Indian War, Pennsylvania flourished as a profitable trading colony as well as the growth of various cash crops. Pennsylvania was the leading colony expressing neutrality, but was still attacked as a supporter of British rule. However, Philadelphia did serve as an non-appointed capital during parts of the revolution. Pennsylvania remained neutral fort he most part on the ideas of Revolution. __//**Revolution:**//__ The leaders of the Revolution that came from Pennsylvania included Benjamin Franklin, Thomas McKean, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Thomas Paine, William Penn, Arthur St. Clair, James Wilson. Pennsylvania had much neutralist influence, but numerous influential individuals for the Patriots in the revolution. Pennsylvania had various high ranking officials from the Continental Army. The Revolution helped fuel the importance of the Pennsylvania colony even more. The city of Pennsylvania grew more popular and substantial to the free movement as well as trade and political meetings. Pennsylvania supported the constitution and it was even signed in its capital, Philadelphia.

//"Pennsylvania." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. // //"Pennsylvania Frame of Government (16820." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. // //"Pennsylvania Founded, 1681." DISCovering U.S. History. Detroit: Gale, 1997. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 22 Sept. 2010.//