
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.
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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...

Publicly Humiliated in London
Clip: Episode 1 | 6m 2sVideo has Closed Captions
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.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Conversations on Franklin
Join hour-long discussions with Ken Burns and special guests, featuring clips from the two-part series.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipBenjamin Franklin Invents the Glass Armonica
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Clip: Ep1 | 1m 55s | Franklin’s musical invention, the armonica, became a sensation in Europe. (1m 55s)
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Clip: Ep1 | 1m 49s | Enslaved Philadelphia residents worked in businesses and homes, including Franklin’s. (1m 49s)
Franklin Faces His Racial Prejudices
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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
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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
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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
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Clip: Ep1 | 5m 31s | Franklin studied electricity and proved lightning’s electrical nature with a key and kite. (5m 31s)
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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...



























