Directions: Read the broadside below and answer the questions that follow.
Violence Is Not the Answer!
As a Quaker, there is a lot of pressure, coming from both the Patriots and the Loyalists, to be involved in the war. Colonists from both sides are pressuring us to declare our loyalty with their threats of fines or prison. However, taking a side, either side, goes against our beliefs as Quakers. It is important to stay uninvolved.
One of our beliefs is to treat everyone equally. We believe in simple worship, honesty, and equality. Equality means we believe each person in this world is valued equally. Everyone should be treated the same way. If we choose to fight, we are showing that we value the people on one side over another.
Another of our beliefs is nonviolence. We must refuse to join the Patriot army or support the war, because doing so will lead to violence. Paying taxes that go toward the military means giving money to people who will use violence to get what they want. Fighting in the army for either side would mean having to hurt or kill others. We can take no part in that violence.
We know that staying true to your principles means you may be fined, put into prison, or be called Loyalists and traitors. But getting involved in this war goes against everything we believe in. Do not do it! Demonstrate your beliefs and stay out of the war!
Written by EL Education for instructional purposes.
■ Nolt, Cynthia L., and Donald B. Kraybill. “Quakers.” The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
■ Tyson, Rae. “Our First Friends, the Early Quakers.” Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/portal/communities/ pa-heritage/our-first-friends-early-quakers.html.
■ Whitman, Sylvia. “Practicing Peace.” Cobblestone, Nov–Dec 2008, pp 2–3.
■ Green, Matt. “Quakers: The Religious Society of Friends.” University of Virginia, 2000. Internet Archive, http://web.archive.org/ web/20060828125831/religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/quak.html.
■ “Rebellion: 1774–1775. 5. The Pacifists.” National Humanities Center, http:// nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/makingrev/rebellion/text5/text5read.htm.