The "Holy Experiment" was an attempt by the Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, to establish a community for themselves and other persecuted religious minorities in what would become the modern state of Pennsylvania.[1] They hoped it would show to the world how well they could function on their own without any persecution or dissension.[2][3]
The Experiment ultimately failed due to the death of William Penn and conflicts between Quakers and non-Quakers within the colony over the foundation of a Pennsylvania-backed militia, which defied Quaker beliefs.
- ^ Dobrée (1978), p. [page needed].
- ^ Dandelion (2008), p. [page needed].
- ^ Tolles (1998), Founding and governorship of Pennsylvania.