Literary and Historical Notes of Pennsylvania Colony: A Model of Multicultural Society

Abstract

American society's multicultural nature stems from its diverse ethnicities, cultures, religions, and denominations underpinned by democratic principles as the foundation of its sociopolitical system. This diversity is not a spontaneous occurrence but the result of a long historical process dating back to the colonial era. The Pennsylvania colony is considered one of the significant contributors to early American multicultural society. This study examines the strategies employed by William Penn, the colony's proprietor, to establish Pennsylvania's multicultural foundation. Utilizing Nash Smith's interdisciplinary approach, which combines historical and literary perspectives, this research identifies three key strategies implemented by Penn to foster equal relationships through friendship: incorporating a tolerance clause in the First Frame of Government, which served as the colony's constitution, and recognizing the life and liberty of each ethnic group. The first strategy aimed to persuade various ethnic groups, particularly Native Americans, to coexist peacefully with European settlers, as illustrated in the poem "Treaty of Penn." The second strategy provides a legal framework to ensure mutual trust among all inhabitants. The third strategy represented the practical application of the second strategy and demonstrated William Penn's commitment, as evidenced in a letter he wrote in London before founding the Pennsylvania colony. These strategies were rooted in Penn's Quaker beliefs, which emphasized the equality of all human beings, regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, language, or other differences.