Changes

While ahead of its time, in guaranteeing freedom of religion to all Christians - thus attracting numerous Mennonites, Amish, Anabaptists, German Lutherans, Calvinists, Moravians, Scots-Irish Presbyterians, Welsh Baptists, Irish Catholics, and Missionary Anglicans, the government did not guarantee true freedom of religion as we think of it today. Atheists were excluded, while Jews and other non-Christians could not hold office or vote.<ref name=Godinamerica />

While ahead of its time, in guaranteeing freedom of religion to all Christians - thus attracting numerous Mennonites, Amish, Anabaptists, German Lutherans, Calvinists, Moravians, Scots-Irish Presbyterians, Welsh Baptists, Irish Catholics, and Missionary Anglicans, the government did not guarantee true freedom of religion as we think of it today. Atheists were excluded, while Jews and other non-Christians could not hold office or vote.<ref name=Godinamerica />

=== Frame of government ===

=== Frame of government ===

: ''Main Article:  [[Province of Pennsylvania]]''

: ''Main Article:  [[Province of Pennsylvania]]''

The new government of Pennsylvania, established in 1682, was a religious utopia to which all the persecuted religious minorities of Europe fled and were granted safe haven.<ref name=roland>Roland, John (2011, October 25). "[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/frampenn.htm Excerpts from Frame of Government of Pennsylvania by William Penn, 1682]." The Constitution Society.</ref> The government consisted of a Governor (originally Penn) and freemen of the province, the latter as represented by two ruling houses, a 72-member Provincial Council, and a General Assembly (200-500 representatives), both selected through free and voluntary public elections.<ref name=avalon>Penn, William (1682, May 5). "[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/pa04.asp Frame of Government of Pennsylvania]." 'Laws Agreed Upon in England, &c.' XXXIV. Lillian Goldman Law Library. ''Yale University''. The Avalon Project.</ref>  

The new government of Pennsylvania, established in 1682, was a religious utopia to which all the persecuted religious minorities of Europe fled and were granted safe haven.<ref name=roland>Roland, John (2011, October 25). "[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/frampenn.htm Excerpts from Frame of Government of Pennsylvania by William Penn, 1682]." The Constitution Society.</ref> The government consisted of a Governor (originally Penn) and freemen of the province, the latter as represented by two ruling houses, a 72-member Provincial Council, and a General Assembly (200-500 representatives), both selected through free and voluntary public elections.<ref name=avalon>Penn, William (1682, May 5). "[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/pa04.asp Frame of Government of Pennsylvania]." 'Laws Agreed Upon in England, &c.' XXXIV. Lillian Goldman Law Library. ''Yale University''. The Avalon Project.</ref>  

IF any person, through Temptation or Melancholy, shall destroy himself; his Estate, real and personal, shall notwithstanding descend to his Wife and Children, or Relations, as if he had died a natural Death; and if any Person shall be destroyed or killed by Casualty or Accident, there shall be no Forfeiture to the Governor by reason thereof.<ref>"[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/penncharpriv.htm Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges]." VI, VIII.</ref>}}

IF any person, through Temptation or Melancholy, shall destroy himself; his Estate, real and personal, shall notwithstanding descend to his Wife and Children, or Relations, as if he had died a natural Death; and if any Person shall be destroyed or killed by Casualty or Accident, there shall be no Forfeiture to the Governor by reason thereof.<ref>"[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/penncharpriv.htm Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges]." VI, VIII.</ref>}}

* Right to Fair Trial. According to the fifth guaranteed privilege: {{cquote|THAT all Criminals shall have the same Privileges of Witnesses and Council as their Prosecutors.<ref>"[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/penncharpriv.htm Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges]." V.</ref>}}

* Right to Fair Trial. According to the fifth guaranteed privilege: {{cquote|THAT all Criminals shall have the same Privileges of Witnesses and Council as their Prosecutors.<ref>"[http://www.constitution.org/bcp/penncharpriv.htm Pennsylvania Charter of Privileges]." V.</ref>}}

== Later Life ==

== Later Life ==

A friend of King James II, Penn was on the losing side of the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 and lost control of his province in 1692; it was restored to him in 1694. His wife died in 1694 and he remarried in 1696. His fourth "Frame of Government" of 1701 was notable for its liberalism, being the constitution of colonial Pennsylvania. His last years were filled with financial misfortune and included a term in debtors' prison in England.

A friend of King James II, Penn was on the losing side of the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 and lost control of his province in 1692; it was restored to him in 1694. His wife died in 1694 and he remarried in 1696. His fourth "Frame of Government" of 1701 was notable for its liberalism, being the constitution of colonial Pennsylvania. His last years were filled with financial misfortune and included a term in debtors' prison in England.