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Benjamin Franklin

Publicly Humiliated in London

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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“An American” (1775-1790)
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1:54:59
Benjamin Franklin helps craft the Declaration of Independence and wins French support.
“Join or Die” (1706-1774)
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1:55:26
After success as a Philadelphia printer Benjamin Franklin earns worldwide fame in science.
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