TheMeaning of Keystone
There are two nicknames that are commonly used to describe
our state. One of them is the Quaker State. It’s obvious
where that nickname came fromsince the founder of
our state, WilliamPenn, was of the Quaker religion.
The other nickname, Keystone State, is not so
obvious.
Keystone
is a central wedge-
shaped stone in an arch that strengthens
the structure by holding all the other
stones in place.
The early use of this term
related to Pennsylvania’s
strategic geographic location
among the 13 original
colonies. Later, the term
could have related to our
colony’s
political
importance in
creating a new nation. Political
deals with different forms of
government. All of the early
political events that led to the formation of our new country took place in Philadelphia.
Three crucial documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the
Bill of Rights – were all written and approved in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania became a
political keystone in forming the new United States.
LESSON
10
A
NGER AMONGTHE
C
OLONISTS
WITH
E
NGLAND
’
S
R
ULE
KEY
WORDS
KEY
PLACES
keystone
political
tax
representation
boycott
colonists
radical
Liberty Bell
Philadelphia
Independence Hall
KEY
PEOPLE
GeorgeWashington
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Rush
KEY
EVENTS
First Continental
Congress
Second Continental
Congress
Declaration of
Independence
F
OCUS
Q
UESTIONS
1. What is a keystone?
2. Why did the people among the colonies
become angry living under England’s rule?
3. What major events led the colonists to rebel against England’s rule?
4. What is the Declaration of Independence?
5. What is the Liberty Bell?
No.Mass.
NewHampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
NewYork
Pennsylvania
Connecticut
NewJersey
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North
Carolina
South
Carolina
Georgia
The 13
Original
Colonies
Pennsylvania was
thought of as the
“Keystone” of our
new country. Notice
how our state is in
the geographic
center of the 13
original colonies.
46
Understanding Pennsylvania
