Why was the petition written by Pennsylvania German Quakers in 1688 significant?

1 Answer
Apr 8, 2017

The German Quakers in Pennsylvania wrote a petition protesting slavery in the American Colonies.

Explanation:

The Quakers were a new denomination of evangelical Christians with ana baptist roots dating back to the Donanist movement of second century North Africa.

The Quakers and similar religious groups were pacifists and had been fiercely persecuted in Europe. William Penn started the colony of Pennsylvania to be a refuge of religious freedom.

Slavery went against the religious ideals of the Quakers who wanted freedom under God for all people. The Quakers were instrumental in the fighting slavery throughout the history of the United States.

In 1688 the Quakers signed the first petition against slavery. Even though the petition failed to accomplish the prohibition of slavery. The Quakers did not give up their fight against slavery. The Quakers were a major part of the underground railroad and the abolitionist movement