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Franklin and the Antislavery Movement

Clip: Episode 2 | 7m 5sVideo has Closed Captions

Late in life, Franklin petitioned Congress to end slavery in the United States.

Franklin, though a former slave owner, had joined the growing antislavery movement in Philadelphia. With the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, he petitioned the new federal government to end slavery in the United States. Because of Franklin’s reputation, the petition was heard. But the House of Representatives voted it down, and the Senate tabled it without discussion.

04/04/2022

FromKen Burns

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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...

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)

The Declaration of Independence

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Clip: Ep2 | 3m 17s | Franklin made a pivotal edit to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. (3m 17s)

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 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)

The Treaty of Paris, 1783

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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...

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