BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (Unit 2: Developing a New Nation)

THE SCIENTIST

•Discovered Electricity

• Invented Bifocal glasses

• Improved the odometer

• Franklin stove (produced

more heat and less

smoke)• MANY OTHERS

THE WRITER

Poor Richard’s Almanack- published every year 1733-1753

• weather forecasts

• practical household hints,

• puzzles

• popular for its extensive use of wordplay, and some of the

witty phrases 

“God helps them who help themselves”

THE WRITER

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin• Published after his death• Four Parts

1. To his son, William2. Letters in Paris3. Return to Philadelphia4. His last 6 months

THE POLITICIAN

The Albany Plan of Union • A plan to unite the colonies

• Council of representatives

• Power over the western settlements and Native American

relations

• Organize ARMIES

• COLLECT TAXES (to pay for the armies)

• The colonial assemblies REJECTED it because they wanted to

control their own taxes and armies

THE POLITICIAN

Created by Franklin in 1754 and published in his newspaper, the Philadelphia Gazette.

A plea for unity in defending the colonies during the French and Indian War.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS• The right of journalist to publish the truth without

restriction or penalty

John Peter Zenger• Publisher of the new York Weekly Journal• Arrested for printing a series of articles that criticized the

governor• Charged with LIBEL (the publishing of statements that

damage a person’s reputation

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

John Peter Zenger trial• Wrote about the governor• Everything was FACTS• At the time, under American law, libel meant UNTRUE statements

• A JURY FOUND HIM NOT GUILTY

Significance= press has a right and responsibility to keep the public informed of the truth

ASSIGNMENT

•Read “How I Became a Printer” by Benjamin Franklin on page 124-125

•Analyze Literature: Write a letter to the New England Courant expressing your opinion about the fairness of unfairness of being made an apprentice at the age of 12.