Religious Freedom in the Middle Colonies — Reading Comprehension

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

D2.HIS.4.3-5
D2.HIS.14.3-5
RI.4.3
RI.4.4
W.4.2

About This Reader

This engaging U.S. History reading passage explores the theme of religious freedom in the Middle Colonies during colonial America. Students will learn how people of different backgrounds, such as Quakers, Dutch, and others, helped create colonies where many religions were accepted and respected. Key events and figures, including William Penn and his founding of Pennsylvania, are explained in a chronological, student-friendly narrative. The passage emphasizes the bravery and unity of colonists who sought a place to worship freely and the lasting impact of their choices. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, and a graphic organizer to support comprehension. The resource includes a Spanish translation and is aligned with C3 Framework D2.His.4.3-5 and RI.4.3 standards. This passage provides an inspiring look at early American values and supports students’ reading and critical thinking skills. Read aloud audio and a glossary of key vocabulary terms are included to enhance accessibility and understanding.

CONTENT PREVIEW

The Middle Colonies included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. These colonies became well-known for their religious freedom. Many people in Europe wanted to practice their own faith. However, some rulers did not allow this. People who wanted freedom to worship left their homes and traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to America.

In the early 1600s, the Dutch settled in New York. They allowed people of different beliefs to live there. Later, the English took control, but they also let people follow their own religions. This made New York a place where many groups could live together in peace.

Pennsylvania was started by William Penn in 1681. Penn was a Quaker. Quakers believed that everyone should be treated equally. They were often treated badly in England for their beliefs. Penn wanted his colony to be a place where people could worship freely. He wrote, "I desire to enjoy liberty of conscience to worship God." Penn welcomed people from many countries and faiths. Soon, Pennsylvania was home to Quakers, Catholics, Jews, Lutherans, and others.

Penn made fair agreements with Native Americans. He wanted everyone to live in peace. Other colonies, like New Jersey and Delaware, also became places where people of many religions could live together.

This religious freedom helped the Middle Colonies grow quickly. Many settlers came because they heard they would be treated fairly. Towns grew and different cultures mixed together. The Middle Colonies became known for their diversity and tolerance.

Because people could practice their faith without fear, they worked together to solve problems. They built schools, meeting houses, and farms. The ideas of the Middle Colonies helped shape the future of the United States. Many of these ideas, like freedom of religion, became important American values.

Tolerance and respect for others helped people live in harmony. This spirit of unity made the Middle Colonies strong and successful.

Interesting Fact: The laws of Pennsylvania protected not only Christians but also people of any faith, which was very rare in the world at that time.

Which colonies are the Middle Colonies?

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, DelawareVirginia, Georgia, South Carolina, MarylandMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, MaineTexas, California, Florida, Nevada

Who founded Pennsylvania?

William PennGeorge WashingtonJohn SmithPeter Stuyvesant

Which group was treated badly in England?

QuakersPilgrimsPuritansDutch

Why did people move to the Middle Colonies?

To find religious freedomTo look for goldTo escape cold weatherTo become pirates

How did William Penn treat Native Americans?

Made fair agreementsFought many warsIgnored themTook their land by force

What was special about laws in Pennsylvania?

Protected all faithsAllowed only QuakersBanned all churchesOnly for English people

Religious freedom helped the colonies grow. True or false?

TrueFalse