Primary Source Analysis -Source 1

Source 1: An Interview with Benjamin Franklin after the Stamp Act, 1765

Guided Primary Source Analysis

​Q. Do the Americans pay any considerable taxes among themselves?

A. Certainly many, and very heavy taxes.

Q. Are not the colonies, from their circumstances, very able to pay the stamp duty?

A. In my opinion there is not gold and silver enough in the colonies to pay the stamp duty for one year.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best summarizes Benjamin Franklin's answers to these questions?

Americans= colonists

• The colonists want to have representation in Parliament

• The colonists have not paid taxes to Parliament before

• The colonists are very wealthy

• The colonists already pay a lot of taxes to their own colonial assemblies

Q. Do you think it right that America should be protected by this country and pay no part of the expense?

A. That is not the case. The colonies raised, clothed, and paid, during the last war, near 25,000 men, and spent many millions.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best summarizes Benjamin Franklin's answers to this question?

America= colonies

• The colonists do not need protection from Great Britain 

• The colonists used some of their own supplies and troops during the French and Indian War  

• The colonists did not want the French and Indian War to begin so they shouldn't be responsible for paying for it

Q. Do not you think the people of America would submit to pay the stamp duty, if it was moderated[1]?

A. No, never, unless compelled by force of arms[2]...

Q. What was the temper[3] of America towards Great Britain before the year 1763?

A. The best in the world. They submitted willingly to the government of the Crown, and paid, in all their courts, obedience to acts of Parliament....

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​1: Made less extreme. 2: Weapons. 3: Mood/Feeling

Multiple Choice

According to Benjamin Franklin, how has the relationship between the colonists and British changed ove rtime?

• The colonists had a good relationship with the British before they British started taxing them

• The colonists have always had a bad relationship with the British 

• The colonists relationship with the British is improving over time

Q. What is your opinion of a future tax, imposed on the same principle with that of the Stamp Act? How would Americans receive it?

A. Just as they do this. They would not pay it.

Q. What will be the result if military force is used to enforce the Stamp Act? 

A. Suppose a military force sent into America; they will find nobody in arms; what are they then to do? They cannot force a man to take stamps who chooses to do without them. They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one.

Multiple Choice

What does Benjamin Franklin mean when he says "They will not find a rebellion; they may indeed make one"

• The patriots will start a rebellion against the taxes

• If the British try to force colonists to pay the tax it will cause the colonists to rebel

• The military will rebel against the colonists if they don't pay their taxes

Q. If the act is not repealed, what do you think will be the consequences?

A. A total loss of the respect and affection the people of America bear to this country, and of all the commerce[4] that depends on that respect and affection.

Q. How can the commerce[4] be affected?

The goods they take from Britain are mere conveniences, or superfluities [5]... They are mere articles of fashion, purchased and consumed because the fashion in a respected country; but will now be detested and rejected.

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​4: trade 5: unnecessary things

Multiple Choice

What does Benjamin Franklin say will happen if the tax is not repealed?

• The colonists will use violence and threats against tax collectors

• The colonists will not pay the tax or any other taxes

• The colonists will boycott British goods

Multiple Choice

Based on the interview do you think Benjamin Franklin was a Patriot or Loyalist?

• Patriot

• Loyalist

• Neither