Dual Enrollment US History Practice Test

William Penn is the figure associated with founding Pennsylvania and shaping its approach to religious liberty and fair government. He received a royal charter from Charles II in 1681 to establish the colony, initially envisioned as a haven for Quakers and a place of tolerance for diverse faiths. Penn promoted fair dealings with Native Americans, advertised generous land terms, and helped design the colony’s government, notably through a framework that included an elected assembly and protections for religious freedom—often called the Holy Experiment.

The other names point to different colonial leaders: James Oglethorpe founded Georgia; John Smith helped establish Jamestown; Roger Williams founded Rhode Island and advocated for religious liberty there. So the accurate statement about Penn highlights his role as founder of Pennsylvania and his commitment to liberty and fair governance.