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Benjamin Franklin's formal education was notably brief, concluding after approximately one year when he was ten years of age.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's formal schooling concluded after approximately two years when he was ten years old, not one. He subsequently pursued education through extensive reading.
Benjamin Franklin's formative experiences instilled within him a profound appreciation for civic responsibility and the significance of voluntary associations.
Answer: True
Influenced by his Puritan upbringing and the writings of Cotton Mather, Benjamin Franklin developed a strong sense of civic duty and the value of collective action through voluntary organizations.
Where was Benjamin Franklin born, and what was his father's primary occupation?
Answer: Boston, Massachusetts; Tallow Chandler
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and his father, Josiah Franklin, worked as a tallow chandler, among other related trades.
Despite his limited formal schooling, how did Benjamin Franklin primarily pursue his education?
Answer: Through extensive reading and self-study.
Benjamin Franklin's education was largely self-directed, characterized by extensive reading and continuous learning outside of formal institutional settings.
Benjamin Franklin's early life experiences, particularly his Puritan upbringing and reading Cotton Mather, instilled in him a strong sense of:
Answer: Civic responsibility and community benefit.
Franklin's upbringing and early influences fostered a deep commitment to civic responsibility and the principle of contributing to the collective welfare through organized efforts.
Benjamin Franklin utilized the pseudonym 'Poor Richard' when authoring popular letters for his brother's newspaper.
Answer: False
This statement is inaccurate. While Benjamin Franklin did employ pseudonyms, 'Poor Richard' was associated with 'Poor Richard's Almanack.' For popular letters published in his brother's newspaper, 'The New-England Courant,' he adopted the pseudonym 'Silence Dogood.'
Benjamin Franklin primarily perceived the printing press as a medium for entertainment and personal expression.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin viewed the printing press as a powerful instrument for disseminating knowledge, fostering moral instruction, and influencing public discourse, rather than solely for entertainment.
What pseudonym did Benjamin Franklin use when writing popular letters to 'The New-England Courant'?
Answer: Silence Dogood
Benjamin Franklin adopted the pseudonym 'Silence Dogood' when submitting popular letters to 'The New-England Courant' under his brother's publication.
How did Benjamin Franklin gain significant social respect and financial success as a printer in Philadelphia?
Answer: Through his commentary in 'The Pennsylvania Gazette' and cultivating an image of industry and intellect.
Franklin achieved prominence as a printer through his insightful commentary in 'The Pennsylvania Gazette' and by cultivating a public persona associated with diligence and intellectual rigor.
Benjamin Franklin viewed the printing press primarily as a tool for:
Answer: Disseminating knowledge and influencing moral life.
Franklin considered the printing press a vital medium for educating the public, promoting moral virtue, and shaping societal discourse.
The Junto, established by Benjamin Franklin, was a society dedicated to philosophical discourse and mutual improvement among its members.
Answer: True
The Junto, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1727, was indeed a discussion group aimed at self-improvement and community betterment through the exchange of ideas.
Benjamin Franklin's Library Company of Philadelphia was established with the objective of providing universal access to literature for all citizens.
Answer: False
The Library Company of Philadelphia, initiated by the Junto, was a subscription library. Members collectively purchased books, making literature accessible to subscribers, rather than providing free access to all citizens.
Benjamin Franklin was a co-founder of the University of Pennsylvania, initially established as the Academy and College of Philadelphia.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which evolved into the University of Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Franklin established the first paid professional fire department in Philadelphia.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin founded the Union Fire Company in 1736, which is recognized as one of the earliest volunteer firefighting companies in America, not the first paid professional one.
Benjamin Franklin was a staunch opponent of smallpox inoculation, deeming it excessively perilous.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin was a proponent of smallpox inoculation, regretting not having his son inoculated after the child succumbed to the disease, and advocating for the safer method.
Benjamin Franklin played a peripheral role in the establishment of the University of Pennsylvania, offering primarily advisory input.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin was a principal architect in founding the University of Pennsylvania (originally the Academy and College of Philadelphia), serving as its first president and significantly shaping its development.
Benjamin Franklin's actions consistently reflected a dedication to the 'common good' and the advancement of societal welfare.
Answer: True
Franklin's extensive career was marked by a consistent commitment to public service and the betterment of society, evident in his founding of institutions and advocacy for public welfare.
What was the primary aim of the Junto, the discussion group founded by Benjamin Franklin?
Answer: To improve themselves and their community through discussion.
The Junto was established by Benjamin Franklin as a forum for mutual improvement and intellectual exchange among aspiring artisans and tradesmen, focusing on discussing contemporary issues.
The Junto's appreciation for reading led to the creation of which important Philadelphia institution?
Answer: The Library Company of Philadelphia
The shared interest in literature among the members of the Junto directly led to the establishment of the Library Company of Philadelphia in 1731, a pioneering subscription library.
Which educational institution did Benjamin Franklin help found in Philadelphia?
Answer: The Academy and College of Philadelphia
Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in the founding of the Academy and College of Philadelphia, which later developed into the University of Pennsylvania.
The Union Fire Company, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1736, is recognized as:
Answer: One of the first volunteer firefighting companies in America.
The Union Fire Company, established by Benjamin Franklin, is considered one of the earliest examples of a volunteer firefighting organization in the American colonies.
Benjamin Franklin, along with Dr. Thomas Bond, obtained a charter to establish which pioneering institution in 1751?
Answer: The first hospital in the American colonies.
In 1751, Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond secured a charter for the Pennsylvania Hospital, marking the establishment of the first hospital in the American colonies.
Benjamin Franklin's role in the establishment of the University of Pennsylvania included serving as its:
Answer: First president
Benjamin Franklin served as the inaugural president of the Academy and College of Philadelphia, the precursor to the University of Pennsylvania.
Benjamin Franklin's commitment to the 'common good' was evident in his efforts to:
Answer: Form civic organizations and advocate for public services.
Franklin consistently demonstrated his dedication to the 'common good' through the establishment of civic organizations and his advocacy for essential public services and infrastructure.
Benjamin Franklin posited that electrical charges manifest in two distinct forms: positive and negative.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin's seminal work in electricity included the hypothesis that electrical phenomena could be explained by the existence of two types of electrical fluid, which he termed positive and negative.
Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod but chose not to patent it, adhering to his principle of open-source innovation.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin, the inventor of the lightning rod, deliberately refrained from patenting his inventions, believing they should be freely shared for the benefit of humanity.
Benjamin Franklin's meteorological observations led him to conclude that storms invariably move in the direction of the prevailing wind.
Answer: False
Contrary to this assertion, Benjamin Franklin's meteorological studies led him to deduce that storms could move against the direction of the prevailing wind, a significant insight for the field.
Benjamin Franklin charted the Gulf Stream, thereby substantially decreasing the travel duration for transatlantic voyages.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin's mapping of the Gulf Stream provided mariners with crucial information, enabling them to utilize the current and significantly reduce transatlantic travel times.
Benjamin Franklin developed an improved iteration of the lute, an instrument favored by composers such as Mozart.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin improved the glass harmonica, an instrument that was indeed adopted and utilized by composers like Mozart, not the lute.
Benjamin Franklin was a member of a commission tasked with validating Franz Mesmer's theory of 'animal magnetism'.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin served on a royal commission in 1784 that investigated Mesmer's theory of 'animal magnetism,' ultimately concluding its effects were attributable to the power of suggestion.
Benjamin Franklin's experiments involving the evaporation of ether demonstrated the fundamental principle of refrigeration.
Answer: True
Through experiments with evaporating ether, Benjamin Franklin observed a significant cooling effect, thereby illustrating the principle of refrigeration.
Benjamin Franklin observed that lighter-colored garments absorbed more solar heat than darker ones.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin observed the opposite: darker colored clothing absorbed more heat from sunlight than lighter colored clothing. He demonstrated this by noting how dark fabric sank deeper into snow on a sunny day.
In correspondence with Joseph Priestley, Benjamin Franklin speculated on the future possibility of humans manipulating gravity for enhanced transportation.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin's visionary letters, including one to Joseph Priestley, explored speculative technological advancements, such as manipulating gravity for transport and achieving greater longevity.
Benjamin Franklin advocated for the patenting of inventions to ensure financial exclusivity for their creators.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin believed inventions should be shared freely for the public good, stating that 'as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.'
Benjamin Franklin observed that the application of oil to water could effectively calm its surface.
Answer: True
Through observation and experimentation, Benjamin Franklin noted that oil spread on water could significantly reduce its surface agitation, a phenomenon he documented and utilized.
Benjamin Franklin speculated about the potential for future technological advancements to prevent diseases and extend human lifespans.
Answer: True
In his correspondence, Benjamin Franklin expressed visionary thoughts on future technological capabilities, including the potential to eradicate diseases and significantly prolong human life.
Benjamin Franklin's scientific inquiries had minimal impact on his public standing and international reputation.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's scientific contributions, particularly in electricity, significantly enhanced his international renown and lent considerable credibility to his subsequent roles as a statesman and diplomat.
In the field of electricity, Benjamin Franklin is credited with proposing:
Answer: The existence of two distinct electrical fluids, positive and negative.
Benjamin Franklin's foundational work in electricity included the theory that electrical charge exists in two forms, which he designated as positive and negative.
What was the primary purpose of Benjamin Franklin's famous kite experiment?
Answer: To prove that lightning is electrical in nature.
The primary objective of Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment was to demonstrate the electrical nature of lightning by collecting atmospheric charge.
Benjamin Franklin's philosophy regarding his inventions was that they should be:
Answer: Shared freely and generously for the benefit of others.
Benjamin Franklin firmly believed that inventions should be made available to the public without restriction, emphasizing their utility for the common good.
Benjamin Franklin's meteorological insight that storms could move against the prevailing wind was based on his observation of:
Answer: The time difference of a storm's arrival in Philadelphia and Boston.
By comparing the timing of a storm's passage in different locations, such as Philadelphia and Boston, Franklin deduced that storms could travel against the prevailing wind direction.
How did Benjamin Franklin's charting of the Gulf Stream benefit transatlantic travel?
Answer: It enabled ships to travel faster by utilizing the current.
Franklin's detailed chart of the Gulf Stream enabled captains to navigate more efficiently, often reducing travel time across the Atlantic by utilizing the powerful ocean current.
Which musical instrument did Benjamin Franklin improve, leading to its adoption by famous composers?
Answer: The glass harmonica
Benjamin Franklin's mechanical improvements to the glass harmonica facilitated its wider use and appreciation by notable composers such as Mozart.
The commission appointed by Louis XVI in 1784, including Benjamin Franklin, investigated the theory of 'animal magnetism' and concluded its effects were due to:
Answer: The patient's imagination (placebo effect).
The commission, on which Franklin served, determined that the phenomena attributed to 'animal magnetism' were primarily the result of the patient's imagination, effectively identifying the placebo effect.
Benjamin Franklin's experiments with evaporating ether demonstrated the principle of:
Answer: Refrigeration
Franklin's experiments involving the evaporation of ether provided a clear demonstration of the cooling effect associated with evaporation, illustrating the principle of refrigeration.
Benjamin Franklin observed that darker colored clothes absorbed more heat from sunlight than lighter ones. He demonstrated this by:
Answer: Placing pieces of cloth in the snow on a sunny day.
Franklin demonstrated his observation about heat absorption by placing dark and light colored fabrics on snow on a sunny day, noting that the darker fabrics caused the snow beneath them to melt more rapidly.
In his letter to Joseph Priestley, Benjamin Franklin speculated about future technological advancements including the ability to:
Answer: Prevent or cure all diseases, including aging.
Franklin's speculative writings included visions of future technologies capable of preventing or curing diseases and potentially halting the aging process.
Benjamin Franklin's scientific inquiries, particularly in electricity, significantly contributed to his:
Answer: International recognition and credibility as a statesman.
Franklin's groundbreaking scientific work, especially in electricity, garnered him international acclaim and enhanced his reputation, bolstering his effectiveness as a statesman and diplomat.
Benjamin Franklin held the position of Deputy Postmaster-General for British North America prior to his appointment as Postmaster of Philadelphia.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia in 1737. He later became Deputy Postmaster-General for British North America in 1753, a role that preceded his later appointment as the first U.S. Postmaster General.
During his tenure as a colonial agent in London, Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in advocating for the repeal of the Townshend Acts.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin successfully advocated for the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765 during his time as a colonial agent in London, not the Townshend Acts.
Benjamin Franklin championed the adoption of paper money and significantly influenced its implementation within colonial economic policy.
Answer: True
Franklin was a proponent of paper currency, authoring influential pamphlets on the subject and contributing to its acceptance and stable use in colonial economies.
Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic endeavors were pivotal in securing crucial French military assistance during the American Revolution.
Answer: True
As the American ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic acumen was essential in forging the Franco-American alliance, which provided vital military support for the Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin famously characterized the government established at the Constitutional Convention as 'A monarchy, madam, if you can keep it.'
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's renowned quote regarding the government formed at the Constitutional Convention was 'A republic, madam, if you can keep it,' emphasizing the need for citizen vigilance.
Benjamin Franklin holds the unique distinction of having signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin is distinguished as the only Founding Father to have signed these four foundational documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin presided over the Constitutional Convention in his capacity as the President of Pennsylvania.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and, in his role as President of Pennsylvania, hosted the proceedings.
Benjamin Franklin posited that the preservation of republican liberty was contingent solely upon the sagacity of elected officials.
Answer: False
Franklin emphasized that republican liberty depended not only on elected officials but also on the active vigilance and virtue of the citizenry, as suggested by his famous quote about maintaining a republic.
Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic engagements in France were confined exclusively to the negotiation of trade agreements.
Answer: False
Franklin's diplomatic mission in France extended far beyond trade agreements; it was crucial in securing the vital military alliance that supported the American Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin's involvement in the American Revolution was restricted solely to his diplomatic role in France.
Answer: False
Beyond his crucial diplomatic efforts in France, Benjamin Franklin also contributed significantly as a drafter and signer of the Declaration of Independence and as the first U.S. Postmaster General.
Benjamin Franklin holds the unique distinction of signing which four pivotal documents shaping the United States?
Answer: The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution
Benjamin Franklin is the sole Founding Father to have signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris (1783), and the U.S. Constitution (1787).
Benjamin Franklin's role in the postal service included being appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia and later:
Answer: Deputy Postmaster-General for British North America
After serving as Postmaster of Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was appointed Deputy Postmaster-General for British North America in 1753, significantly improving the colonial postal system.
As a colonial agent in London, Benjamin Franklin achieved which significant legislative success?
Answer: The repeal of the Stamp Act
During his service as a colonial agent in London, Benjamin Franklin played a key role in advocating for and achieving the repeal of the Stamp Act of 1765.
Benjamin Franklin's 1729 pamphlet 'A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency' argued in favor of:
Answer: The use and necessity of paper money.
In his influential 1729 pamphlet, Benjamin Franklin made a case for the economic utility and necessity of paper currency within the colonial context.
As the first U.S. ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin's primary diplomatic achievement was:
Answer: Securing a critical French military alliance.
Franklin's most significant diplomatic success as ambassador to France was securing the crucial military alliance of 1778, which proved indispensable to the American victory in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Franklin's quote, 'A republic, madam, if you can keep it,' emphasizes the importance of:
Answer: Citizen vigilance and participation.
This famous aphorism underscores Franklin's belief that the sustainability of a republic rests upon the active engagement and diligence of its citizens.
Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic efforts in France were instrumental in securing the American victory by obtaining:
Answer: Naval support and troops.
Franklin's diplomatic success in France led to the crucial acquisition of French naval support and troops, which were vital components in achieving American victory during the Revolution.
Beyond diplomacy, Benjamin Franklin's significant contributions to the American Revolution included:
Answer: Drafting the Declaration of Independence and serving as Postmaster General.
Franklin's contributions extended beyond diplomacy to include drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence and establishing the foundational postal service as the first Postmaster General.
Benjamin Franklin maintained ownership of enslaved individuals throughout his life and did not express opposition to the institution of slavery.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's views on slavery evolved significantly. While he initially owned slaves, he later became an active abolitionist and served as president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.
Benjamin Franklin devised a system comprising thirteen virtues intended to guide his personal conduct and foster character development.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin meticulously developed a plan for self-improvement centered on thirteen virtues, which he systematically practiced to cultivate his character.
Benjamin Franklin identified himself as an atheist, asserting that organized religion held no societal value.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's religious views were complex, often described as deistic. He valued religion for its role in promoting morality and civic virtue, rather than identifying as an atheist.
Benjamin Franklin's pamphlet 'Observations concerning the Increase of Mankind' exerted influence on the economic theories of Thomas Malthus.
Answer: True
Franklin's demographic insights in 'Observations concerning the Increase of Mankind' were acknowledged by Thomas Malthus, who credited Franklin with identifying key principles of population growth.
Benjamin Franklin proposed a decision-making methodology involving the enumeration of advantages and disadvantages on separate sheets of paper.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin described a decision-making technique in a letter to Joseph Priestley that involved listing pros and cons on a single sheet, divided into columns, a method now recognized as a decisional balance sheet.
Benjamin Franklin was a full member of the Hellfire Club and actively participated in its proceedings.
Answer: False
Historical accounts suggest Benjamin Franklin occasionally attended meetings of the Hellfire Club as a non-member, rather than being a full participant or member.
Benjamin Franklin evinced a strong commitment to freedom of speech, referencing 'Cato's Letters' in his defense of this principle.
Answer: True
Benjamin Franklin consistently championed freedom of speech, notably citing 'Cato's Letters' in his advocacy for this fundamental liberty.
Benjamin Franklin perceived the Society of the Cincinnati as an exemplary manifestation of republican virtue.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin, along with others, criticized the Society of the Cincinnati, viewing its hereditary nature as inconsistent with the egalitarian principles of a republic.
Benjamin Franklin composed his own epitaph in 1728, envisioning himself as awaiting a 'new edition' after his earthly existence.
Answer: True
In 1728, Benjamin Franklin penned a self-written epitaph that metaphorically described his life as a book awaiting correction and revision in a future 'edition.'
Benjamin Franklin's will stipulated that his grave marker should bear a lengthy, self-authored epitaph.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's will specified a simple inscription for his grave marker: 'Benjamin and Deborah Franklin.' This contrasts with the elaborate epitaph he had previously written for himself.
Benjamin Franklin's demographic studies concerning population growth influenced the demographer Thomas Malthus.
Answer: True
Franklin's treatise on population growth, predicting America's rapid expansion, significantly informed the work of later economists and demographers, including Thomas Malthus.
Benjamin Franklin conveyed reservations regarding the divinity of Jesus in correspondence with the president of Yale University.
Answer: True
In a letter to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale, Benjamin Franklin expressed personal doubts about the divinity of Jesus, while still acknowledging the value of Jesus' moral teachings.
Benjamin Franklin's early adherence to vegetarianism was predominantly motivated by economic considerations.
Answer: False
While economic factors played a role, Benjamin Franklin's early vegetarianism was also influenced by ethical and health considerations, as detailed in his autobiography.
The 'Ben Franklin effect' describes the psychological phenomenon wherein performing a favor for another person diminishes their positive regard for the benefactor.
Answer: False
The 'Ben Franklin effect' posits the opposite: doing a favor for someone tends to increase their liking for the person who performed the favor, a principle Franklin observed in his own life.
Benjamin Franklin's relationship with his son, William, became strained due to their shared allegiance to Loyalist political viewpoints.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's relationship with his son William deteriorated primarily because William remained a Loyalist, while Benjamin Franklin became a key figure in the American Revolution, leading to a profound estrangement.
Benjamin Franklin advocated for governmental financial support of religious institutions to ensure their stability.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin believed that religious institutions should be self-supporting and that a religion requiring state aid was likely 'a bad one,' reflecting his commitment to religious autonomy.
Benjamin Franklin's bequest to Boston and Philadelphia stipulated that funds should accumulate interest for a period of 100 years.
Answer: False
Benjamin Franklin's bequest specified an accumulation period of 200 years, not 100, for the funds entrusted to Boston and Philadelphia.
Benjamin Franklin viewed chess as a game that fostered recklessness and impulsivity among its players.
Answer: False
In his essay 'The Morals of Chess,' Benjamin Franklin praised the game for cultivating foresight, circumspection, and caution, rather than promoting recklessness.
Benjamin Franklin believed that accumulated wealth should primarily be allocated towards personal enrichment and ostentatious display.
Answer: False
Franklin's philosophy emphasized using wealth not merely for personal gain but also for societal contribution and the common good, promoting industry and frugality.
Benjamin Franklin believed that religious tolerance fostered societal strength by enabling the coexistence of diverse belief systems.
Answer: True
Franklin was a proponent of religious pluralism, viewing tolerance and the coexistence of diverse faiths as beneficial for societal harmony and strength.
Benjamin Franklin's stance on slavery evolved from initial ownership to becoming:
Answer: An active abolitionist and president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.
Benjamin Franklin transitioned from slave ownership to becoming a prominent abolitionist, ultimately serving as the president of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.
Benjamin Franklin's plan for personal improvement involved cultivating thirteen virtues, focusing on one:
Answer: Per week
Benjamin Franklin's systematic approach to self-improvement involved dedicating one week to the practice and mastery of each of his thirteen chosen virtues.
Benjamin Franklin's religious views are best described as:
Answer: Deist
Benjamin Franklin's religious perspective is generally characterized as Deist, emphasizing reason and natural law while acknowledging a creator, rather than adhering to orthodox religious dogma.
In his 1751 pamphlet, Benjamin Franklin's observations on population growth influenced which later thinkers?
Answer: Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus
Franklin's demographic analysis in his 1751 pamphlet significantly influenced the economic and population theories of prominent thinkers such as Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus.
Benjamin Franklin's method for decision-making, described in a letter to Joseph Priestley, is known today as a:
Answer: Decisional balance sheet
The decision-making technique outlined by Benjamin Franklin in his correspondence, involving the systematic listing and weighing of pros and cons, is recognized today as a decisional balance sheet.
Benjamin Franklin's occasional attendance at the Hellfire Club is noted, but historical records suggest he was:
Answer: A non-member who occasionally attended.
Evidence indicates that Benjamin Franklin was a guest at some Hellfire Club gatherings, rather than a formal member or regular attendee.
Benjamin Franklin's early advocacy for free speech was demonstrated when he:
Answer: Took over his brother's newspaper to publish a statement defending free speech.
Franklin demonstrated his commitment to free speech by assuming control of his brother's newspaper to publish a defense of the principle, quoting 'Cato's Letters'.
Benjamin Franklin and Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, criticized the Society of the Cincinnati because they viewed it as:
Answer: A 'noble order' inconsistent with republican ideals.
Franklin, alongside Mirabeau, critiqued the Society of the Cincinnati, perceiving its hereditary structure as antithetical to the egalitarian principles foundational to republican governance.
What did Benjamin Franklin's actual grave marker, as specified in his will, read?
Answer: Benjamin and Deborah Franklin
In accordance with his will, Benjamin Franklin's grave marker bears the simple inscription: 'Benjamin and Deborah Franklin.'
Benjamin Franklin's contribution to demography included noting America's rapid population growth and predicting:
Answer: Population would surpass England's within a century.
Franklin's demographic analysis predicted that the population of America would exceed that of England within approximately one hundred years, based on its observed growth rate.
Benjamin Franklin's view on the relationship between religion and government was that:
Answer: Religion should be independent and self-supporting.
Franklin advocated for the separation of church and state, believing that religious institutions should sustain themselves without governmental financial support.
Benjamin Franklin's bequest to Boston and Philadelphia was intended to:
Answer: Accumulate interest over 200 years for future benefit.
Franklin's bequest stipulated that the funds should grow through accumulated interest over a 200-year period before being utilized for public benefit.
In his essay 'The Morals of Chess,' Benjamin Franklin praised the game for promoting:
Answer: Foresight, circumspection, and caution.
Franklin lauded chess in 'The Morals of Chess' for its capacity to cultivate essential cognitive skills such as foresight, careful consideration, and prudence.
Benjamin Franklin's perspective on wealth emphasized that it should be used:
Answer: For personal gain and societal contribution.
Franklin believed that wealth should serve a dual purpose: enabling personal prosperity while also contributing to the advancement and well-being of society.
Benjamin Franklin's advocacy for religious pluralism contributed to America becoming a nation that embraced:
Answer: Religious freedom.
Franklin's promotion of religious tolerance and pluralism was instrumental in shaping the United States as a nation founded on the principle of religious freedom.
Benjamin Franklin's likeness has been featured on the U.S. $100 bill since its initial issuance in 1776.
Answer: False
While Benjamin Franklin's image appears on the U.S. $100 bill, it has been featured since 1914, not since its initial printing in 1776.
Which of the following roles did Benjamin Franklin NOT fulfill during his lifetime?
Answer: Composer of Symphonies
While Benjamin Franklin excelled in numerous fields including printing, science, statesmanship, and diplomacy, he is not known to have composed symphonies.