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Publicly Humiliated in London

Clip: Episode 1 | 6m 2sVideo has Closed Captions

Franklin, the most famous American in London, became the face of American resistance.

As Britain and the colonies grew apart, Benjamin Franklin, the most famous American in London and an agent for several colonies, found himself caught in the middle. After the Boston Tea Party, he was publicly humiliated in a government meeting room called the Cockpit and blamed for the crisis across the ocean. It was clearer than ever that Franklin would have to choose a side.

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...

Benjamin Franklin Invents the Glass Armonica

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 1m 55s | Franklin’s musical invention, the armonica, became a sensation in Europe. (1m 55s)

Franklin and Slave Labor

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 1m 49s | Enslaved Philadelphia residents worked in businesses and homes, including Franklin’s. (1m 49s)

Franklin Faces His Racial Prejudices

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 1m 58s | A visit to a school for Black children challenged Franklin’s racial prejudices. (1m 58s)

Franklin Makes a Name for Himself as a Printer

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 3m 53s | Franklin’s first published essays were printed under a pseudonym—Silence Dogood. (3m 53s)

Franklin’s Endlessly Quotable Poor Richard’s Almanack

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 4m 37s | Franklin’s popular "Poor Richard’s Almanack" offered an enduring brand of American humor. (4m 37s)

Franklin’s Observations and Experiments on Electricity

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 5m 31s | Franklin studied electricity and proved lightning’s electrical nature with a key and kite. (5m 31s)

The Stamp Act

Video has Closed Captions

Clip: Ep1 | 3m 46s | In 1765, England found a new way to raise money from the American colonies: The Stamp Act. (3m 46s)

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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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