Chapter 6
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ReviewQuestions
1. What are two nicknames for Pennsylvania?
2. What effect did the French and IndianWar have on the American colonies?
3. What is a tax?
4. Whywas Philadelphia chosen as themeeting place for bothContinental
Congresses?
5. In 1774, what did the colonists decide upon in the First Continental Congress?
6. In 1775, what were two results of the SecondContinental Congress?
7. When did the fighting start between England and theMassachusetts colonists?
8. What is theDeclaration of Independence?
9. Whenwas theDeclaration of Independence approved?
10. Whenwas it first printed and read to the people?
11. Predict what would have happened to theDeclaration of Independence if the
topic of slavery hadnot been removed?
BenjaminFranklin
Benjamin Franklin is one of Philadelphia’s most
famous citizens. He was awriter, statesman, and
inventor. Benwas born in 1706 in the city of
Boston, andwas the youngest of 15 children.
As a youngman, he worked for his brother in
Boston to learn to be a printer. Ben often fought
with his brother, and after some time he ran away
to Philadelphia, the greatest city in the colonies.
Young Ben got a job at a printing shop, and by
the age of 23 he owned his own shop. He printed a
very popular newspaper, and also printed books. Ben
liked Philadelphia and inventedmany things tomake
it an even better place to live. He started its first
hospital, public library, university, police force, and
fire department. He also invented streetlights and
street sweepers to keep the city clean and bright.
When the colonies decided to break away from
England’s rule, Benjamin Franklinwas one of five people asked towrite the Declaration
of Independence. He traveled to France to ask for money, ships, and soldiers to fight the
English. When the United States Constitutionwas written, he was its oldest signer.
Benjamin Franklin lived in Philadelphia and continued his work until he died in 1790
at the age of 84.
