How did Quakers start?

Find out more about the history of Quakers, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on ... It was a time of religious turmoil in England, with people seeking reform in the Church of England or starting their own competing churches. read more

Thus, the name Quaker began as a way of ridiculing George Fox's admonition, but became widely accepted and is used by some Quakers. Quakers also described themselves using terms such as true Christianity, Saints, Children of the Light, and Friends of the Truth, reflecting terms used in the New Testament by members of the early Christian church. read more

George Fox and his friends became the Society of Friends. They were nicknamed Quakers by a judge, because he said that we should tremble with fear of the Lord. The name stuck. read more

Quakers were heavily involved in Pennsylvania’s new government and held positions of power in the first half of the 18th century, before deciding their political participation was forcing them to compromise some of their beliefs, including pacifism. read more