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

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the U.S. History STAAR Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question accompanied by hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Who founded Pennsylvania, and in what year?

William Penn in 1682
George Washington in 1776
Thomas Jefferson in 1787
Benjamin Franklin in 1720

The correct answer is: William Penn in 1682

William Penn founded Pennsylvania in 1682 as a proprietary colony granted by King Charles II of England. Penn, a Quaker, established the colony as a place of religious freedom and tolerance, which was particularly important for his fellow Quakers who faced persecution in England. By settling Pennsylvania, Penn aimed to create a society based on democratic principles and fair treatment of all individuals, which influenced the development of American democratic ideals. The other individuals mentioned had significant roles in American history but are not correct in regard to the founding of Pennsylvania. George Washington was a leader in the Revolutionary War and the first President of the United States; Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President, and he played a significant role in the establishment of the United States as a nation; Benjamin Franklin was a key Founding Father, famous for his multiple contributions to science, diplomacy, and governance, but he did not found Pennsylvania.