Benjamin Franklin

The Stamp Act

Clip | 3m 46s

The recent war with France had expanded England’s empire, but left its treasury depleted. In the spring of 1765, the king’s ministers and Parliament came up with a new way to raise more money from the American colonies: The Stamp Act. Now, all legal documents, newspapers, books, almanacs—even decks of playing cards—would need official stamps, purchased from the government.

Aired: 04/04/22 | Rating: NR

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.

More Extras

• The Treaty of Paris, 1783

  Clip | 4m 20s

• The Stamp Act

  Clip | 3m 46s

• Publicly Humiliated in London

  Clip | 6m 2s

More Specials

• A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas

  Special | 25m 27s

• Franklin and Revolution

  Special | 1h 15m 12s

• Benjamin Franklin and American Diplomacy

  Special | 56m 5s

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