Question

Why did Ben Franklin want the colonies to come together?

a) To form a stronger defense against external threats
b) To establish a unified currency system
c) To promote trade and economic growth
d) To create a centralized government

Answer 1

Option (a), Ben Franklin wanted the colonies to unite to create a stronger defense and a centralized government to overcome the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, ensuring justice, domestic tranquility, and general welfare.

Step-by-step explanation:

Ben Franklin wanted the colonies to come together to form a stronger defense against external threats, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty. His famous 'Join or Die' slogan embodied the importance of unity for the colonies. The need for a united approach was recognized during the Revolutionary War, where despite regional differences, the overarching goal was to fight the British effectively.

Following the war, the need for a political framework that could establish justice, respond to internal disruptions, and provide a system of national defense, including an army and navy, became apparent. Thus, a centralized government was sought to overcome the limitations of the Articles of Confederation, leading to the drafting of the Constitution which provided a common treasury and legislation for the states.