U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

What did William Penn describe as a "holy experiment"?

1. The establishment of Pennsylvania as a religious refuge

2. The creation of a national constitution

3. The separation of church and state

4. The founding of the first American colony

The correct answer is: The establishment of Pennsylvania as a religious refuge

William Penn referred to the establishment of Pennsylvania as a "holy experiment" because he envisioned the colony as a place of religious freedom and tolerance, particularly for Quakers and other persecuted groups. Penn's intent was to create a society that reflected his beliefs in equality, peace, and the freedom of worship, allowing individuals to practice their faith without fear of persecution. This approach attracted a diverse group of settlers who sought refuge from religious discrimination in other colonies and countries, making Pennsylvania a unique example of pluralism in the early American colonies. The other choices do not accurately represent Penn's vision; the national constitution and the separation of church and state pertain to later developments in American governance, while the founding of the first American colony relates to earlier efforts at colonization that did not embody the same principles of religious freedom.