The Declaration of Independence
Clip: Episode 2 | 3m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
Franklin made a pivotal edit to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.
After reading Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin offered only a few edits, but one of them was pivotal. In his draft, Jefferson’s most important sentence began, “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable, that all men are created equal…” Franklin crossed out “sacred and undeniable” and wrote in “self-evident.”
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was...
The Declaration of Independence
Clip: Episode 2 | 3m 17sVideo has Closed Captions
After reading Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin offered only a few edits, but one of them was pivotal. In his draft, Jefferson’s most important sentence began, “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable, that all men are created equal…” Franklin crossed out “sacred and undeniable” and wrote in “self-evident.”
From
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An American Celebrity in France
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Clip: Ep2 | 4m 37s | Benjamin Franklin arrived in France, hoping to win French support for the Revolution. (4m 37s)
Compromise and the Constitution of the United States
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Clip: Ep2 | 6m 36s | As impasse threatened the Constitutional Convention, Franklin appealed for Compromise. (6m 36s)
Franklin and Adams: Rivals on the Same Diplomatic Mission
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Clip: Ep2 | 4m 3s | Franklin and Adams frustrated each other in France with opposing approaches to diplomacy. (4m 3s)
Franklin and the Antislavery Movement
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Clip: Ep2 | 7m 5s | Late in life, Franklin petitioned Congress to end slavery in the United States. (7m 5s)
Franklin Hears About Washington’s Victory at Yorktown
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Clip: Ep2 | 2m 39s | A month after the end of the battle, Franklin finally got the news from Yorktown. (2m 39s)
The Franklins Choose Opposing Sides in the Revolution
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Clip: Ep2 | 2m 26s | The American Revolution tore families apart, including the Franklins. (2m 26s)
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Clip: Ep2 | 4m 20s | The Treaty of Paris ended a war, secured Independence and created an Empire. (4m 20s)
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was...