This year's book is "Becoming Ben Franklin", by Russell Freedman.
Chapter One
1. Where and when was Ben Franklin born?
Boston: January 17, 1706
2. How many children were in his family?
17 children; Ben was fifteenth and
Where did he fit in?
The youngest of 10 sons
3. What was his father’s occupation?
A soap and candle maker
4. What were some of young Ben’s favorite things to do?
He liked being around and learning about water and boats; swimming ; experimenting. He dreamed up projects and organized his friends to carry them out;
5. How many years of formal training did Ben have? 2 years
6. What subjects did Ben excel in? Fail in? Writing and reading ; Math
7. At what age did he become an apprentice to his father in soap and candle making? 10 years old
8. His father realized Ben was bored and restless and didn’t wish him to run away and go to sea.
Thus he encouraged him to become an apprentice with his brother, where he would need to read, spell and write. What trade was this?
printing industry
9. What two skills did he try to improve when he was not working for his brother? reading and writing
10. What name did Ben use to submit an article to his brother’s paper? Silence Dogood
11. When Ben and his brother began disagreeing and arguing, he decided to seek his freedom
by booking passage on a sailing sloop headed for __________ .
New York
12. Seventeen year old Ben didn’t locate work in New York. So he set out for what city which
was a five day journey from there?
Philadelphia
13. How long was the total journey from Boston to Philadelphia? 10 days
Chapter Two
1. Ben’s quick wit and talent for storytelling made it easy for him to _____ ______.
Make friends
2. What was the name of Ben’s first employer? Samuel Keimer
3. Ben rented a room on Market Street from John Reed, the father of whom?
Deborah Reed
4. Governor Keith encouraged Ben to start his own printing business and suggested he go to London, a seven week voyage, to purchase his equipment and meet some booksellers. The governor was sending a letter of credit for him. Instead Ben found himself without money and was advised to do what?
get a job with a printer
5. While in London Ben sought out coffee houses and taverns for what purpose? to make friends and meet writers and interesting people
6. How did Ben help fellow printers? He gave swimming lessons.
7. After eighteen months Ben returned to Philadelphia and worked for Samuel Keimer and then went into business with a partner but at age 24 he ________.
started his own printing shop
Chapter 2 (Con’t)
8. Ben Franklin became wealthy through the sale of his ____________.
Almanac
9. Why did Franklin encourage the Junto members to pool their books?
To establish the first lending library ( The Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731)
10. Franklin and the Junto proposed or founded improvements for Philadelphia. Name some.
The first plans to sweep and light Philadelphia’s streets; first firefighting company which consisted of 30 volunteers; first hospital; first college (The Philadelphia Academy which is now the University of Pennsylvania)
11. Franklin embarked on a campaign for self-improvement called his _________.
Moral Perfection Project
12. Ben Franklin was appointed to the Pennsylvania Assembly and made the colony’s official printer. This allowed him to ____________.
Print votes, laws, paper money and other jobs for the public
13. How old was Franklin when he retired from the printing business?
42 years old
14. What did he do after retiring?
Read, study, experiment, and converse with others
Chapter 3
1. Franklins’s curiosity and experiments on color absorption and repulsion led to practical
applications, such as ______________.
Black clothes not appropriate for hot climates; walls of sheds paint black to absorb Heat to keep fruit warm from frosts and ripen quicker
2. Investigating causes of poor indoor heating, Franklin studied air currents and heat transfer. At that time fireplaces heated homes and much of the warm air went up the chimney and smoke drifted into the room. Franklin’s experiments led to an invention built into the fireplace to radiate heat and send smoke up the chimney. What was the name of this invention?
Pennsylvania fireplace or Franklin stove
3. What made Franklin rich and what made him famous?
Poor Richard’s Almanac ; Experiments with electricity
Chapter 3 (con’t)
4. At this time in history how did people think of electricity?
A curious amusement and source of amazing tricks
5. What type of electricity was known at this time in history?
Static electricity
6. What was the “miraculous bottle”?
A Leyden jar which captured and stored electrical charges
7. As Franklin worked his experiments discovering what this “electric fluid” could and could not do, he came up with words we still use to describe electricity. Name several terms.
Conductors, non-conductors, positive charges, negative charges
8. His electrical inventions at the time included __________________.
“Self moving wheel” (small electrical motor); first electrical battery ; the wonderful effect of points
9. Next Franklin noticed the similarities between flashes of lightning and the “electric fluid”
such as swift motion, crooked direction, and an explosive crack. This convinced him of the likelihood both were electricity. This led him to the famous kite experiment. These experiments led to the development of ____________ , which attract lightning in a storm and kept buildings and people safe.
Pointed sticks called lightning rods on top of buildings with wires attached sending bolts of electricity to the ground
10. After his electrical experiments what institutions awarded honorary degrees to Franklin?
Harvard and Yale
11. What is credited with making Franklin the world’s most famous American?
The lightening rod and the Franklin stove
Chapter 4
1. Upon retiring Franklin expected to enjoy leisure time but he found his time was not his own.
Why?
He was a public figure and thje public used him for their purpose.
What had he wanted to do?
Work on his scientific studies and amusements
2. What civil government job did he soon acquire after retirement?
Philadelphia City Council, justice of the peace,
city alderman, Pennsylvania Assembly
Chapter 4 (con’t)
3. How did Ben feel about all these promotions?
He was flattered.
4. The British government appointed him to what position in the colonies?
Deputy Post Master General ( top-office job in American colonies)
5. Applying his experiences as Philadelphia postmaster how did he overhaul postal delivery?
Night postal riders making possible one day deliveries between Philadelphia and New York; introduced the first home delivery system
6. At this time the French and the English were fighting along the western frontier. Why?
To determine which nation would rule North America
7. What valley were the French trying to gain control of?
The Ohio River Valley by building a series of forts along it
8. The French forts were considered a threat to the English colonies. Therefore in the summer of 1754 a full-scale conflict began which was called the ___________.
The French and Indian War
9. In Albany, New York, a conference was arranged between the colonists and the Iroquois confederacy of 6 nations that lived along the lakes. What was the purpose of the meeting?
To renew the colonists’ alliance with the Iroquois and create a plan that would unite the colonies for their common defense against the French
10. How many of the colonies went to the conference?
7 colonies of the 13
11. Franklin was disappointed in the fact the colonies would not unite for common protection.
He suggested they should take a lesson from the Iroquois. He wrote an editorial in the Pennsylvania Gazette on the need for unity. What accompanied this editorial?
The first original political cartoon printed in America (It was a snake cut into pieces that were labeled with the initials fo the colonies - the motto “Join or Die” was below the cartoon
12. What was the name of the plan that the northern colonies proposed for unification based upon Franklin’s plan?
The Albany Plan of Union
13. Did the colonies accept the plan?
No, they felt it would be giving up tii much of their power; the British government also turned it down because it might give the colonies too much independence
Chapter 4 (con’t)
l4. The Pennsylvania assembly passed a bill taxing property in the colony to collect money for defense. Who felt the were exempt from paying the tax?
The Penn family
15. Why was Franklin sent to England by the colony of Pennsylvania?
To argue its case with the Penn Family and if that failed to argue their case with the British government
16. Who accompanied Franklin to England?
His son, William
17. Why would Ben Franklin’s wife not go to England?
She feared the lengthy ocean crossing; she wasn’t anxious to be in fashionable world of London
Chapter 5
1. What did William do in London?
He enrolled in law school; served as his father’s secretary
2. Since London was he largest city in Europe who was attracted there?
Talented and ambitious peaople
3. Did the people of London follow the saying, “Early to bed and early to rise”?
No, they seemed to live by candlelight and sleep by sunshine
4. What did Franklin say “warms the mind”?
Conversation
5. What universities gave Franklin honorary doctoral degrees?
Oxford and Scotland’s University of St. Andrews
6. At this period of time in history what as considered a mark of prosperity?
Having a portly body ( putting on weight)
This fact led to Franklin’s nickname which was ________________.
Dr. Fatsides
7. How did Ben begin each day?
With an hour “air bath”
8. How long did Franklin end up staying in England trying to convince the Penn Family of the need to work with the Pennsylvania assembly and pay taxes?
5 years
Chapter 5 (con’t)
9. What inventions did Franklin invent during the time in England?
3 wheeled clock to show seconds; a glass “armonica” (Marie Antoinette took lessons to play it ; Mozart and Beethoven wrote music for it)
10. Did Franklin remember his wife, Deborah, and daughter, Sally while in England?
Yes, he wrote them often; and sent gifts
11. In colonial times what was seen as an expression of beauty and robust good health?
An ample figure
12. Did Franklin like England?
Yes, he thought of moving there; he respected and admired everything
British
13. What settlement was finally established with the Penn family?
They would pay limited taxes and they alone would govern through their appointed governors to the colony
14. After trouble in the colony where John Penn asked Franklin’s help against some rebel colonists, Penn turned on Ben and as a consequence he lost his seat in the assembly in the next election. But his supporters still in the assembly sent him back to England to represent the colony’s interests. Did Sally and Deborah go with him this time?
No
Chapter 6
1. In December of 1764, Franklin was back in London settled in his old lodgings with _____.
Mrs. Stephenson
2. Who was England’s new king?
George III
3. Franklin hoped to be back with his family within a few months but instead he ended up in England how long?
10 years
4. What was the name of the act which British Parliament passed that made the colonists buy British tax stamps to paste on all printed matter issued in America?
The Stamp Act
5. What were some of the printed materials that needed Stamps?
Newspapers, pamphlets, diplomas, marriage licenses, wills
Chapter 6 (con’t)
6. Why did the colonists object to the tax?
The tax was imposed by a legislature in which they were not represented
7. What became the colonists battle cry?
No taxation without representation.
8. Franklin worked hard to get the Stamp Act repealed. And when called to explain to the British House of Common why the Americans opposed the Stamp Act, he explained__________.
Since the colonists were British subjects it was their right to vote on their own taxes in their own legislative assemblies.
9. What die Franklin do besides political things while in England?
Advised friends about smokey chimneys; had lightning rods installed on St. Paul’s Cathedral; designed a system of hot-water pipes to keep the House of Commons warm; traveled to Scotland, Ireland, Holland, France ; began his autobiography
10. King George III and his ministers pressured Parliament to pass the Townshend Act. What did this act do?
Imposed taxes (import taxes) on certain British goods shipped to America such as paper, paint, glass, lead, and tea
11. How did the colonists react to this Act?
They demanded the repeal of the taxes and boycotted all British goods
12. The British merchants complained the boycott was ruining them. Therefore, Parliament had to repeal the taxes except for the tax on__________.
Tea
Franklin hoped for reconciliation. Even though the tax was not much the colonists refused to pay it. And when England sent large quantities of low-cost tea to Boston, what happened?
A band of Boston patriots, called the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Indians boarded the three tea loaded ships and dumped the chests of tea into the Boston Harbor
14. In England, Franklin was singled out as a scapegoat and troublemaker. He was summoned to the Cockpit and denounced as an instigator. He was made fun of, laughed at, jeered. What did he do?
Nothing; he stood silently showing no sign of emotion; when they were finished he walked out calmly
15, Why did Franklin remain in London even though he had been fired from his position?
He hoped that he could act as mediator and make one last effort to save the empire.
Chapter 6 (con’t)
16. What act placed the Massachusetts colony under military rule, curtailed town meetings, and closed Boston Harbor until the ruined tea was paid for?
The Intolerable Act
l7. The Intolerable Acts instead of bringing the colonists to their knees caused them to ______.
Increase of colonists resistance
18. By 1775, Franklin gave up hope for a resolution. George III and his ministers rejected any negotiations with the colonists and Parliament declared Massachusetts colonists in rebellion.
Ben’s son, William, informed him in a letter of Deborah’s death and urged Ben to leave England. Did Franklin heed his son’s advice?
Yes, he returned to America
How many years were Ben and Deborah married?
44 years
Chapter 7
1. Who returned to America with Ben?
Temple, his 15 year old grandson, who was William’s son
2. On their journey home, Franklin and Temple took temperature readings of the ocean water and noted the color and material contained in the water and chartered the course of the warmer water of the Gulf Stream. Franklin’s map was the first known of this kind. How did this map showing the Gulf Stream help shipping?
Ship captains could cut about two weeks off the Atlantic sailing time.
3. When they landed in Philadelphia,. Franklin found out that fighting had broken out in Massachusetts between militiamen and British Redcoats. Where did this happen?
Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775)
4. Franklin was quickly elected as one of Pennsylvania’s delegates to the Second Continental
Congress. How old was he?
69 years old
5. Many delegates hoped for a peaceful settlement but Franklin believed ___________.
It was too late for any reconciliation.
6. Franklin kept his thoughts to himself until the Battle of Bunker Hill and the British warships bombarded Charleston, South Carolina. Then he became one of the first delegates to speak in favor of _________.
immediate independence
Chapter 7 (con’t)
7. What was the reason for the shattering of the Ben Franklin’s and his son, William’s,
relationship?
William sided with the British and Ben sided with the colonists
8. William, as governor of New Jersey, tried to persuade the New Jersey assemble to make peace with the British, but the assembly ordered his arrest. Why?
He was considered an enemy of the liberties of the country.
9. On what two important missions did the Continental Congress sent Franklin?
Oct., 1775, he was a delegate to Cambridge, Massachusetts for a week long conference with George Washington.
March ,1776, Franklin (70 years old) headed a delegation to Canada to try and persuade the Canadians to join the rebellion.
10. After spending two months traveling to and from Canada in winter, Franklin was tired and
Confined to bed for days. What happened that perked him up and got him active again?
He was invited by Congress to help draft the statement that became known as the Declaration of Independence.
11. Who wrote the first draft of the declaration?
Thomas Jefferson (35 years old), youngest of 5 delegates
12. On July 2, 1776, congress voted in favor of independence. They went over the declaration word by word, making 100 changes. Then on what day did they approve the document.
July 4, 1776
13. How many men, all members of the Second Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence?
56 men
14. Who said, “There must be no pulling different ways. We must all hang together.”?
John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress
15. Admiral Howe, commander of the British forces, called for a reconciliation meeting. Congress sent 3 members to listen to what he had to say. Name them.
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Edward Rutledge
What happened at the meeting?
Howe suggested things return to the way they use to be. The three Americans made it clear that since the colonies had already declared independence nothing else would do but independence.
16. On their stop for the night when traveling to meet with Howe, what unknown fact about colds had Franklin explained to John Adams?
People do not catch colds from being in the cold but colds are passed from person to person.
17. Who had the most powerful army and navy on earth in the 1700's?
Great Britain
18. Who was in command of a ragged army of volunteers with little training and little gunpowder?
George Washington
19. What assignment was given to Franklin and the Committee of Secret Correspondence by congress?
Assigned to seek foreign support for the united colonies
20. Who had the Committee of Correspondence already asked secretly to aid them?
The French government
Chapter 8
1. At 71 what was the most important mission that Franklin was sent to accomplish?
As part of a three man team, he was to get needed aid from the government
of France (Silas Deane, Arthur Lee (John Adams sent in his place), BF)
2. France and England fought off and on for centuries. France had been humiliated by the loss of Canada to England in the French and Indian War. France watched for opportunities to undermine the British. At the time of the American Revolution France and England were at
peace. Knowing these facts, why did the young French king, Louis XVI, not wish to side with the Americans openly?
Outcome of the war for independence very doubtful. No significant
battles had been won by the bedraggled army.
3. Who accompanied Franklin to France?
Grandsons, Temple and Benny
Chapter 8 (con’t)
4. Why was Franklin greeted in Paris as a hero?
Famous American scientist for his electrical discoveries
5. Who was the famous French philosopher who stated, “All men have equal rights to liberty!”?
Voltaire
6. Were the French people interested in the Americans fight for liberty?
Yes, in cafes people talked about it; songs were sung of liberty; young
noblemen volunteered to go to America and join rebels
7. Where did Franklin live for the next 9 years? And why?
Passy (a leafy village outside Paris) ; To win support of French in the
war and later, to negotiate a peace treaty with England
8. In France, portraits of Franklin appeared everywhere, on snuffboxes, and candy boxes, handkerchiefs and pocket knives. Why?
Most famous American; a champion of liberty; he represented everything that fascinated them about America; they were charmed by his lively speech
How did Ben Franklin dress?
Simply, with a cane and a soft fur cap instead of a wig, simple brown suit,
and spectacles
10. In what ways did life in France agree with Franklin?
Better health; warm baths at a bathhouse on the Seine River; laughing
and cheerful with attention from women, young and old; “mon cher Papa”
(my dear Papa) phrase used by some who flirted with him, composed music
for him, and played chess with him
11. During his time in France what activities besides politics kept Ben busy?
Wrote humorous essays and fables which he printed in the basement;
Entertained; invented bifocal glasses
12. What did Benny do?
Went to a boarding school in Switzerland; spent summers in Paris with BF;
BF taught him to swim in the Seine River ; at 13 Franklin had him trained
to become a printer
13. What did Franklin’s colleagues complain about?
BF’s sloppy record keeping; his busy social life;
14. What was the capitol of the colonies which the British captured in the fall of 1777?
Philadelphia
Chapter 8 (con’t)
15. What had France been doing secretly?
Supplying arms and money to the colonies’ army
16. What factors made it difficult for the committee of three from America to enlist France’s open help of the colonists?
The three disagreed among themselves; their trusted secretary, Edward Bancroft, was a British spy (This fact only discovered a 100 years later);
other spies all over Paris
17. An American messenger, Jonathan Austin, rode into Franklin’s courtyard to deliver a message. What was the message?
Rebels (colonists) had won their first major battlefield victory at Saratoga,
N.Y. – General Burgoyne with 1000 troops surrendered (turning point of
the war)
18. A British envoy came to Paris to sound out Americans on a new peace proposal. British would give everything the rebels wanted except independence. Franklin knew of spying (but not who) so he _______.
Played the British against the French and vice versa
19. This double-edged diplomacy worked and France quickly recognized the Independence of the United States. They signed two treaties with the new nation. What were they?
One created a military alliance, the other one an agreement on friendship and trade
20. At the signing on Feb. 6, 1778, Franklin wore the same outfit he had worn four years earlier to the British Cockpit where he had been ridiculed. What did he wear and why?
Faded worn blue velvet coat; “To give it a little revenge”
21. France insisted Franklin remain in Paris while the other two returned home. Why?
Franklin had established a bond of trust with the French Prime Minister,
Vergennes, and he would only deal with Franklin in negotiations
22. What Frenchman backed Franklin’s efforts in France?
Marquis de Lafayette had joined the American colonial army and fought with them until he was wounded. He had come home and now pleaded
for supporting the Revolution
23. In the summer of 1780, the French reinforcements sailed to America. What happened?
The decisive battle at Yorktown, Virginia was fought with French warships and troops joining the American army. The British commander, Cornwallis was surrounded on Yorktown pennisula, and three weeks later, surrendered to Americans on Oct. 19, 1781.
Chapter 8 (con’t)
24. Franklin successfully persuading the French to advance loan after loan and to send ships and troops was crucial to the American victory in the War for Independence. But he still had work to do in Paris. What still needed to be accomplished?
Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams were the delegates to negotiate a peace treaty with Britain, which listed more that a year. The treaty finally signed, Sept. 3, 1783, officially ending the Revolutionary War
25. That same year Franklin had the opportunity to witness the first success of another experiment, one by the French. What was it?
The first manned balloon flights (silk balloons with heated air or
hydrogen gas and wicker bucket below to hold people
26. After nine years in France what did Franklin do?
He sent his resignation of congress (79 yrs. Old with gout and kidney
stones)
27. Who was the next ambassador to France?
Thomas Jefferson
28. What family matter had to be taken care of before Franklin went home?
Ben went to London to see William . ( He wanted to reconcile) they
met for several days, they settled family business matters but parted
for good. Franklin took Benny and Temple home with him.
Chapter 9
1. When he landed in Philadelphia what happened?
Cannons boomed, bells pealed , crowds cheered, family and friends greeted him
2. Franklin was now 79 years old. Did he retire from public life?
No, he was elected president of the Pennsylvania Executive Council
(Governor of state)
3. Who lived with Franklin at this time?
His daughter , Sally, son-in-law, Richard Bache, and their 4 children
4. What did Franklin do for Benny?
Built a printing house, and Benny became a full time printer and
publisher
Chapter 9 (con’t)
5. What did Franklin do to accommodate his family?
Franklin had an addition put on the house. There was a library which contained his 4000 books, and electrical equipment. The rolling press he invented to print letters, his rocking chair with overhead fan he could operate with a foot pedal, and mechanical arms (also invented) to reach books on high shelves.
6. What did Franklin do to keep healthier?
Watched his diet, worked out with dumbbells, took his daily air baths
7. Ben Franklin continued his autobiography. He realized that he had not always lived up to the standards of conduct he had put out for himself when he was young. What virtues did he give himself high marks in achieving? And what virtues had he decided he fill short in obtaining?
Industry, frugality, resolution (rated high)
Humility, vanity, pride (rated low) He thought he did worst with pride.
8. Franklin decided he was a better man for having tried to perfect the virtues. But he also decided a wise man will do what?
Allow a few faults in himself or risk losing friends
9. In Philadelphia in the summer of 178, the Constitutional Convention was called because the Articles of Confederation had proved to weak to hold the new nation together. What was the task of the delegates?
To draft a new stronger constitution that would unite the states and meet the needs of the new nation
10. How many delegates were there
55 delegates from every state but Rhode Island
11. How long did they meet?
16 weeks of speeches, debates, negotiations, and compromises
12. Who was the oldest delegate?
Benjamin Franklin (81 yrs. old) twice the average age of delegates
l3. The delegates me in the Pennsylvania State House, now called __________.
Independence Hall
14. Four husky prisoners from the Walnut Street jail daily did what for Franklin because of his gout and kidney stones?
They carried him in a chair balanced by long poles from his home to the convention sessions.
Chapter 9 (con’t)
15. Finding it hard to stand for long periods of time, Franklin wrote his speeches out and has someone read them for him. And he spoke mainly in ____________.
Small informal groups
16. What big problems did the delegates face?
Balance conflicting demands of large and small states; rich ones and
poor ones; slave states and free states
It was very hot with weather that summer having high humidity.
There were giant flies and mosquitoes in the State House.
17. Franklin worked to encourage a spirit of compromise. In this position how did he help discussions?
He brought opposing delegates together; he allowed tempers to cool,
and then, got them to agree.
18. Many delegates opposed slavery, but the South with its plantations said they depended on the slave labor. What was the final compromise on this issue?
Slave trade would be banned as of 1808. The institution of slavery would be tolerated under the new condition, and each state would decide the issue for itself.
19. Franklin didn’t approve of everything in the constitution but he felt that it like himself wasn’t perfect but it was still the best document ever written. When he stated the fact to the delegates, he asked them to join him in _____________.
Signing the document
20. Franklin is the only Founding Father to sign all four of the documents that led to the creation of the United States of America. What were the four documents?
Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Alliance (with France),
Peace treaty with England, Constitution of the U.S.
21. What is the oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world?
The United States Constitution
22. The remainder of Franklin’s life, he devoted himself to the task of trying to ______________.
Abolish slavery
23. Franklin’s anti-slavery position was his last public act. Why?
He died two months later.
24. Franklin had told his mom long ago when his life was over that he would rather have lived a useful life than die rich. What had he done in his life to prove that was what he believed? Printer, editor, publisher, community organizer, scientist and inventor,
Statesman, humorist, and philosopher, influential writer
25. What were some of his contributions to society?
A library, a university, a fire company, a philosophical society,
The lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses,
He helped give birth to a new kind of nation