Changes

==Philadelphia Printer ==

==Philadelphia Printer ==

Franklin found work at a print shop in Philadelphia and soon was patronized by governor William Keith, who persuaded Franklin that he needed to go into business for himself and offered him letters of credit in London to purchase equipment.  When he arrived in London in December 1724, he learned that Keith's letters of credit were useless.  Ben stayed in London, working in the local print shops.  In 1726, he returned to Philadelphia and again worked in print shops. In 1728, Franklin partnered with Hugh Meredith to opened their own print shop.  Franklin soon bought out Meredith and began publishing ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'' newspaper, which he bought from his former employer, Samuel Keimer.  besides the newspaper and almanac, he was a job printer who churned out playbills, tickets, advertisements, legal forms, soap wrappers, election notices, currency, carrier addresses, government documents, book labels, and other ephemeral items.

Franklin found work at a print shop in Philadelphia and soon was patronized by governor William Keith, who persuaded Franklin that he needed to go into business for himself and offered him letters of credit in London to purchase equipment.  When he arrived in London in December 1724, he learned that Keith's letters of credit were useless.  Ben stayed in London, working in the local print shops.  In 1726, he returned to Philadelphia and again worked in print shops. In 1728, Franklin partnered with Hugh Meredith to opened their own print shop.  Franklin soon bought out Meredith and began publishing ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'' newspaper, which he bought from his former employer, Samuel Keimer.  besides the newspaper and almanac, he was a job printer who churned out pamphlets, religious tracts, playbills, tickets, advertisements, legal forms, soap wrappers, election notices, currency, carrier addresses, government documents, book labels, and other ephemeral items.

==Marriage==

==Marriage==

In September 1730, Franklin entered a common law marriage with Deborah Read. No legal ceremony was possible because Deborah was still legally married; her husband had deserted to avoid paying a debt. Around this time, Franklin fathered an illegitimate son by an unknown woman; [[William Franklin]] was raised in his new household.  In 1732, his first son with Deborah, Francis died of smallpox at the age of 4, leading Franklin to become an advocate of vaccinations.  Sarah Franklin, who went by Sally, was born 11 years later in 1743.  

In September 1730, Franklin entered a common law marriage with Deborah Read. No legal ceremony was possible because Deborah was still legally married; her husband had deserted to avoid paying a debt. Around this time, Franklin fathered an illegitimate son by an unknown woman; [[William Franklin]] was raised in his new household.  In 1732, his first son with Deborah, Francis died of smallpox at the age of 4, leading Franklin to become an advocate of vaccinations.  Sarah Franklin, who went by Sally, was born 11 years later in 1743.  

==Almanack==

 

In late 1732, he began writing and publishing ''Poor Richard's Almanack'', under the guise of "Poor Richard Saunders" and his wife, Bridget, both fictional characters.  The almanack provided useful information on the seasons while enlightening the reader with witty short sayings. Franklin had a knack for rewording and improving old proverbs in a wittier manner. The almanac appeared annually from 1732 to 1758.

==Civic leader==

Franklin became Philadelphia's leading citizen, founding and leading many civic organizations.  After 1727 he usually operated through "the Junto", an informal club comprising friends, civil leaders and fellow tradesmen.  He established America's first subscription library, the Library Company of Philadelphia, in 1731.  In 1736, he organized the first volunteer fire department, the Union Fire Company.  In 1743, he expanded the idea of the Junto to all of the colonies by organizing the [[American Philosophical Society]]. He helped fund the first hospital and planned a professional police force.

===Moral reform===

===Moral reform===

During the 1730s Franklin made a determined effort to use the emerging power of his press to clean up both private character and public space by writing against the excesses of drink, alehouses, fairs, gambling, and other idle pursuits. Franklin's focus on the body and its potential excess is reflective of a transformation in body image and self-image that was part of a broader range of religious, economic, and political transformations that emerged in the 18th century. All were part of a challenge to the traditional authority of church and state; the growth of commerce, the market, and the print public sphere; and the proliferation of a political ideology that presaged the Declaration of Independence. In his ''Autobiography'' (1771) Franklin utilized the body and its "inclinations" to drive his narrative. In contrast to [[Thomas Jefferson]], who appealed to abstract human rights, and [[John Adams]], who invoked historical precedent and English canon law, Franklin portrayed the Revolution as an ongoing struggle between inclination and reason.<ref> Betsy Erkkila, "Franklin and the Revolutionary Body." ''ELH'' (English Literary History) 2000 67(3): 717-741. 0013-8304</ref>   

During the 1730s Franklin made a determined effort to use the emerging power of his press to clean up both private character and public space by writing against the excesses of drink, alehouses, fairs, gambling, and other idle pursuits. Franklin's focus on the body and its potential excess is reflective of a transformation in body image and self-image that was part of a broader range of religious, economic, and political transformations that emerged in the 18th century. All were part of a challenge to the traditional authority of church and state; the growth of commerce, the market, and the print public sphere; and the proliferation of a political ideology that presaged the Declaration of Independence. In his ''Autobiography'' (1771) Franklin utilized the body and its "inclinations" to drive his narrative. In contrast to [[Thomas Jefferson]], who appealed to abstract human rights, and [[John Adams]], who invoked historical precedent and English canon law, Franklin portrayed the Revolution as an ongoing struggle between inclination and reason.<ref> Betsy Erkkila, "Franklin and the Revolutionary Body." ''ELH'' (English Literary History) 2000 67(3): 717-741. 0013-8304</ref>   

==Civic leader==

===Education===

 

Franklin's 1749 "Proposals for the Education of Youth in Pensilvania," in which he proposes the formation of an academy and discusses its basically secular curriculum. Religion is to be taught under the rubric of history:

Franklin's 1749 "Proposals for the Education of Youth in Pensilvania," in which he proposes the formation of an academy and discusses its basically secular curriculum. Religion is to be taught under the rubric of history:

:"History ''will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing the Necessity of a ''Publick Religion,'' from its Usefulness to the Publick; the advantage of a Religious Character among private Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, &c. and the Excellency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others, antient and modern."''

:"History ''will also afford frequent Opportunities of showing the Necessity of a ''Publick Religion,'' from its Usefulness to the Publick; the advantage of a Religious Character among private Persons; the Mischiefs of Superstition, &c. and the Excellency of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION above all others, antient and modern."''

Not a college man, Franklin proposed educational changes that broke decisively with many traditional educational practices of his day. His proposals reflect his own view of the Enlightenment and its perception of the human mind. He helped establish of the "College of Philadelphia" (now the [[University of Pennsylvania. Unlike Harvard and Yale it was nonsectarian and did not primarily train clergy. Instead it educated students for careers in the professions and business and for public service. It established America's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref> George W. Boudreau, "'Done by a Tradesman': Franklin's Educational Proposals and the Culture Of Eighteenth-Century Pennsylvania." ''Pennsylvania History'' 2002 69(4): 524-557. 0031-4528; see [http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php online]</ref>   

Not a college man, Franklin proposed educational changes that broke decisively with many traditional educational practices of his day. His proposals reflect his own view of the Enlightenment and its perception of the human mind. He helped establish of the "College of Philadelphia" (now the [[University of Pennsylvania. Unlike Harvard and Yale it was nonsectarian and did not primarily train clergy. Instead it educated students for careers in the professions and business and for public service. It established America's first modern liberal arts curriculum."<ref> George W. Boudreau, "'Done by a Tradesman': Franklin's Educational Proposals and the Culture Of Eighteenth-Century Pennsylvania." ''Pennsylvania History'' 2002 69(4): 524-557. 0031-4528; see [http://www.upenn.edu/about/heritage.php online]</ref>   

 

Franklin helped create the Pennsylvania Militia, independent of the colonial government.  The repeated [[French and Indian Wars]] were a threat to the frontier, as the French based in Canada organized and armed Indians who raided the frontier settlements.  The government was controlled by the Penn family and the [[Quakers]], who refused to organize any military defense.  In November 1747, Franklin wrote ''Plain Truth'' advocating the creation of a defense force, since the government would not do so.  The pamphlet was enthusiastically received, and Franklin organized and helped the colony fund a 10,000 man militia.  

Franklin helped create the Pennsylvania Militia, independent of the colonial government.  The repeated [[French and Indian Wars]] were a threat to the frontier, as the French based in Canada organized and armed Indians who raided the frontier settlements.  The government was controlled by the Penn family and the [[Quakers]], who refused to organize any military defense.  In November 1747, Franklin wrote ''Plain Truth'' advocating the creation of a defense force, since the government would not do so.  The pamphlet was enthusiastically received, and Franklin organized and helped the colony fund a 10,000 man militia.  

On his many ocean trips he carefully monitored temperatures and currents, thereby discovering the [[Gulf Stream]] in the Atlantic Ocean.

On his many ocean trips he carefully monitored temperatures and currents, thereby discovering the [[Gulf Stream]] in the Atlantic Ocean.

==Physicist: Discovering electricity==

 

 

==Electricity==

Franklin's great scientific achievement came in his experiments and theories regarding [[electricity]].  He was first intrigued by the concept after meeting Archibald Spencer and witnessing his demonstrations on the creation of static electricity. In 1747, Spencer donated a glass tube and information on generating electricity to the Library Company.  Franklin had several of these glass devices made for his experiments.  He theorized that electricity was one "fluid."  He discovered that when a "positive" charge is created that a "negative" charge is created as well, which became known as the [[conservation of charge]].  He also began using [[Leyden jar]]s, a glass jar with foil on the outside and a conductor such as water or metal on the inside that could be charged with a wire.  Franklin determined that the charge was not stored in the conductor, as was previously thought, and was held in the glass.<ref>We now know that the Leyden jar is an early form of the [[capacitor]], that the charge is contained in a layer of the conductor facing the glass and that the glass (the [[dielectricum]]) increases the [[capacitance]] of the jar (amount of charge that can be held).</ref>  Based on this knowledge, he invented the first electrical battery, which was a series of glass planks that were flanked by metal and wired together.

Franklin's great scientific achievement came in his experiments and theories regarding [[electricity]].  He was first intrigued by the concept after meeting Archibald Spencer and witnessing his demonstrations on the creation of static electricity. In 1747, Spencer donated a glass tube and information on generating electricity to the Library Company.  Franklin had several of these glass devices made for his experiments.  He theorized that electricity was one "fluid."  He discovered that when a "positive" charge is created that a "negative" charge is created as well, which became known as the [[conservation of charge]].  He also began using [[Leyden jar]]s, a glass jar with foil on the outside and a conductor such as water or metal on the inside that could be charged with a wire.  Franklin determined that the charge was not stored in the conductor, as was previously thought, and was held in the glass.<ref>We now know that the Leyden jar is an early form of the [[capacitor]], that the charge is contained in a layer of the conductor facing the glass and that the glass (the [[dielectricum]]) increases the [[capacitance]] of the jar (amount of charge that can be held).</ref>  Based on this knowledge, he invented the first electrical battery, which was a series of glass planks that were flanked by metal and wired together.

[[Image:Franklin - kite.jpg|left|360px]]

[[Image:Franklin - kite.jpg|left|360px]]

Franklin is responsible for the nomenclature of "positive" and "negative" charge. He believed he could tell the direction in which electricity traveled by observing sparks. He was wrong; the electrons, which are the particles carrying ordinary [[electricity]], move in the opposite of the direction he thought they did. As a result, when electrons were discovered, according to Franklin's designation they had to be considered as having a negative charge.

Franklin is responsible for the nomenclature of "positive" and "negative" charge. He believed he could tell the direction in which electricity traveled by observing sparks. He was wrong; the electrons, which are the particles carrying ordinary [[electricity]], move in the opposite of the direction he thought they did. As a result, when electrons were discovered, according to Franklin's designation they had to be considered as having a negative charge.

==Albany Plan 1754==

==Albany Plan 1754==

Franklin also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

Franklin also represented several other colonies and became a regular observer, and unofficial representative of the colonies.  In 1765, he assured British politicians that Americans would accept the [[Stamp Act]], but news of colonial protest caused him to back away from that position.  Afterwards, Franklin regularly opposed British attempts to tax the colonies.

===Opposes multiculturalism===

===Opposes multiculturalism===

Franklin had a vision of an ethnically homogeneous America, and so he had negative views on the large and expanding German community in Pennsylvania (usually called the "Pennsylvania Dutch.")  He disliked the failure of the Germans to assimilate--they had their own language, religion and customs, and showed no interest in becoming like Englishmen or in joining the militia. he ridiculed them as "Palatine Boors" who could never acquire the "Complexion" of the English settlers and to "Blacks and Tawneys" who weakened the social structure of the colonies. In response to British conquest of French-speaking Quebec in 1759, he wrote "The Canada Pamphlet." It stands as one of the most complex and sophisticated pieces of pre-Revolutionary American thought. In it, Franklin entertained ideas of a homogeneous American population in manners, language, and religion as a reaction against ethnic and political warfare within Europe. Drawing on the ideas of [[Thomas Hobbes]], [[David Hume]], and [[Baruch Spinoza]], Franklin believed that political and ethnic relations were exclusively dominated by power, leaving no room for multiculturalism in America, preferring instead the implementation of the British Crown model to foster internal peace in the colonies.  Having a reputation as anti-German hurt Franklin politically, and he dropped the natibvism after 1765.<ref> Alberto Lena, "Benjamin Franklin's 'Canada Pamphlet' or 'The Ravings of a Mad Prophet': Nationalism, Ethnicity and Imperialism." ''European Journal of American Culture'' 2001 20(1): 36-49. 1466-0407 </ref>  

 

Franklin had a vision of an ethnically homogeneous America, and so he had negative views on the large and expanding German community in Pennsylvania (usually called the "Pennsylvania Dutch.")  Franklin's first contacts with the Pennsylvania Germans concerned business. In 1731 he printed two books in German for German Baptists; he also printed into pamphlet form a letter from Conrad Weiser, an Indian negotiator, to Christopher Sauer, a German-language publisher. However, in from the late 1740s into the 1750s, Franklin believd that the Germans could not be assimilated into Englishmen and thus would always be aliens. He disliked the failure of the Germans to assimilate--they had their own language, religion and customs, and showed no interest in becoming like Englishmen or in joining the militia. In "The Increase of Mankind" (1751), Franklin expressed his opposition toward German settlers whom he ridiculed as "Palatine Boors". Despite Franklin's fears, German settlers helped secure the colony's borders against France's Indian supporters during the French and Indian War. Franklin's 1751 remarks came back to haunt him during the 1764 election to determine whether Pennsylvania would remain a proprietary colony or become a royal one (as Franklin advocated) when Franklin's opponents used his comments about the German colonists to defeat his position. Franklin kept silent about the Germans, who were mostly neutral during the revolution. Franklin and the Germans finally were reconciled in 1787 when Franklin College (now Franklin and Marshall College), established to promote an accurate knowledge of the German and English languages, was named in his honor by the Germans.<ref> John B. Frantz, "Franklin and the Pennsylvania Germans" ''Pennsylvania History'' 1998 65(1): 21-34. 0031-4528</ref> 

 

In response to British conquest of French-speaking Quebec in 1759, he wrote "The Canada Pamphlet." It stands as one of the most complex and sophisticated pieces of pre-Revolutionary American thought. In it, Franklin entertained ideas of a homogeneous American population in manners, language, and religion as a reaction against ethnic and political warfare within Europe. Drawing on the ideas of [[Thomas Hobbes]], [[David Hume]], and [[Baruch Spinoza]], Franklin believed that political and ethnic relations were exclusively dominated by power, leaving no room for multiculturalism in America, preferring instead the implementation of the British Crown model to foster internal peace in the colonies.  Having a reputation as anti-German hurt Franklin politically, and he dropped the natibvism after 1765.<ref> Alberto Lena, "Benjamin Franklin's 'Canada Pamphlet' or 'The Ravings of a Mad Prophet': Nationalism, Ethnicity and Imperialism." ''European Journal of American Culture'' 2001 20(1): 36-49. 1466-0407 </ref>  

===Mission to London===

===Mission to London===

In January of 1757, demonstrating its frustration with the Proprietors, the Assembly elected to send Franklin to London.  Franklin attempted to argue that the colonists should be afforded the same rights as other British citizens, with the ability to govern and tax through an elected legislature.  His attempts to persuade this to both Thomas Penn and Parliament failed.  Although his mission was over by 1758, Franklin lingered in London for another four years.  He enjoyed his time meeting with the local intellectuals and political radicals, and with a touch of regret returned to Philadelphia in 1762.  His return to Philadelphia was to be short-lived.  In the 1764 elections, Franklin failed to be reelected after a vicious pamphlet war labeled him as anti-German and Scottish, which made up a majority of Pennsylvania's frontier population.  He found this to be a blessing in disguise when the Assembly elected to send him back to London to serve as their agent once again.

In January of 1757, demonstrating its frustration with the Proprietors, the Assembly elected to send Franklin to London.  Franklin attempted to argue that the colonists should be afforded the same rights as other British citizens, with the ability to govern and tax through an elected legislature.  His attempts to persuade this to both Thomas Penn and Parliament failed.  Although his mission was over by 1758, Franklin lingered in London for another four years.  He enjoyed his time meeting with the local intellectuals and political radicals, and with a touch of regret returned to Philadelphia in 1762.  His return to Philadelphia was to be short-lived.  In the 1764 elections, Franklin failed to be reelected after a vicious pamphlet war labeled him as anti-German and Scottish, which made up a majority of Pennsylvania's frontier population.  He found this to be a blessing in disguise when the Assembly elected to send him back to London to serve as their agent once again.