Benjamin Franklin video

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Questions and Answers

What was the result of the American victory at Saratoga in 1777?

  • It caused a rift between the colonies.
  • It was a turning point for British forces.
  • It solidified French support for America. (correct)
  • It led to American independence.

Benjamin Franklin was opposed to the system of checks and balances.

False (B)

In what year did Franklin participate in the Constitutional Convention?

1787

Franklin invented the __________, which helped protect buildings from lightning.

<p>lightning rod</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following contributions to Franklin's legacy:

<p>Bifocal eyeglasses = Scientific invention University of Pennsylvania = Educational institution Abolition movement = Social reform Checks and balances = Political principle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Franklin's influence on American institutions?

<p>He contributed to libraries, newspapers, and balanced government. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Franklin's views on slavery remained unchanged throughout his life.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Franklin's inventions that helped protect buildings from lightning?

<p>The lightning rod (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Benjamin Franklin's family was involved in the trade of bookbinding.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What city did Franklin move to after fleeing Boston?

<p>Philadelphia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Franklin traveled to ________ to secure support for the American cause after the Declaration of Independence.

<p>France</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which newspaper did Franklin use to shape public discourse?

<p>The Pennsylvania Gazette (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their corresponding years:

<p>Benjamin Franklin was born = 1706 Franklin testified before Parliament = 1766 Signing of the Declaration of Independence = 1776 Franklin's kite experiment = 1752</p> Signup and view all the answers

Franklin edited the phrase 'We hold these truths to be self-evident...' in the Declaration of Independence.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Franklin use as his 'personal university' to seek knowledge?

<p>Print shops</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

French Rivalry with Britain

France, seeking to weaken Britain, supported the American Revolution.

Saratoga Victory

A crucial American military victory that convinced France to fully support the American Revolution.

Treaty of Alliance

Formal agreement between France and America during the American Revolution, ensuring French support.

Constitutional Convention

Gathering of delegates to draft the United States Constitution in 1787.

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Great Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention resolving conflicts between large and small states.

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Checks and Balances

System in U.S. government where each branch has powers to limit the others.

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Franklin's Abolitionist stance

Benjamin Franklin, despite owning slaves initially, later became a strong voice against slavery.

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Benjamin Franklin's Early Life

Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, had limited formal education but a strong desire for knowledge, starting his journey with candlemaking, printing and wit.

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Philadelphia's Impact

Philadelphia offered opportunities for printing, establishing an influential role in shaping arguments and knowledge for Franklin.

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Franklin's Inventions

Franklin's curiosity focused on inventions that brought about impactful innovations like the lightning rod, and a lending library.

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Shaping Public Discourse

Franklin used the Pennsylvania Gazette to promote American sentiment and effectively critique policies like the Stamp Act, through his exceptional writing and arguments.

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Declaration of Independence

Franklin contributed to shaping the Declaration, refining the phrase "all men are created equal".

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Franklin as Diplomat

Successfully securing French support, Franklin used charm and the concept of Enlightenment ideals to gain support from France’s nobility.

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Franklin's Printing Press

Franklin's early success and printing press paved the way towards a vibrant career, providing a platform for promoting arguments and shaping knowledge.

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Franklin's Role in Stamp Act

Through his writing, Franklin criticized the British Stamp Act, advocating for American interests.

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Study Notes

### Early Life & Humble Beginnings

  • Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston in 1706, was the 10th son of a 10th son.
  • His family was involved in the trade of candlemaking.
  • Franklin's formal education was limited, ending with his apprenticeship.
  • Despite limited education, he possessed a thirst for knowledge and sought it out relentlessly.
  • Franklin used print shops as personal universities, bookshelves as treasure troves, and his brother's printing press as his proving ground.
  • He saw words as weapons and sought to use them to shape arguments.
  • Franklin fled Boston at a young age to pursue his ambitions, landing in Philadelphia.

Rise in Philadelphia

  • Philadelphia was a vibrant city full of opportunity, where Franklin made his mark.
  • He established a successful printing press and used his wit and insight to gain fame and fortune.
  • Franklin's curiosity extended beyond printing. He sought to understand and harness the power of electricity, culminating in his famous kite experiment.
  • His inventions included the lightning rod, which helped protect buildings from lightning strikes.
  • He also founded a lending library to make knowledge accessible to all, and established a fire company to combat fires in the city.

Shaping Public Discourse

  • Franklin's reputation as a skilled printer and inventor grew, becoming synonymous with ingenuity.
  • He used his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, to shape public discourse and promote American sentiment.
  • Franklin, through his writing and arguments, criticized British policies like the Stamp Act.
  • In 1766, he testified before Parliament, contributing to the Act's repeal.

Revolutionary Champion

  • As tensions between the colonies and Britain increased, Franklin became a vocal advocate for American independence.
  • He served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
  • Franklin's edits to the Declaration refined the iconic phrase, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal," giving it clarity and power.
  • The signing of the Declaration in 1776, despite his personal reluctance, marked a commitment to independence.

### Diplomacy in France

  • After the Declaration of Independence, Franklin traveled to France to secure French support for the American cause.
  • He charmed French nobility and presented America as a beacon of Enlightenment ideals.
  • He leveraged France's rivalry with Britain, emphasizing the potential gains of supporting America.
  • News of the American victory at Saratoga in 1777 solidified French support, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Alliance in 1778.

### Contributions to the Constitution

  • In 1787, Franklin participated in the Constitutional Convention as a voice of compromise and reason during heated debates.
  • His influence led to the Great Compromise, which resolved conflicts between large and small states.
  • He advocated for the system of checks and balances, vital for a functioning republic.

### Legacy

  • Franklin's legacy extends beyond his political and diplomatic achievements.
  • He is remembered for his scientific contributions, particularly his invention of the lightning rod and bifocal eyeglasses.
  • Franklin believed in the societal importance of education and was instrumental in the founding of the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Despite being a slave owner earlier in his life, he later became a leading voice in the abolition movement, demonstrating his capacity for growth and evolution.

Embodiment of Progress

  • Franklin's tireless curiosity, pursuit of knowledge, and belief in self-improvement shaped not only his life but also the ideals of America.
  • He advocated for a government of the people, by the people, and championed the importance of compromise and consensus.
  • His enduring influence can be seen in American institutions like libraries, newspapers, and the balanced system of government.

Influence On Today

  • Franklin's legacy continues to resonate today through his embodiment of the relentless pursuit of progress, the power of education, and the ability of individuals to positively influence their world.

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