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Benjamin Franklin is Philadelphia's most iconic citizen, but how did William Penn's city shape the man often called "The First American"? This episode follows Franklin from his arrival as a fugitive indentured servant to his emergence as a leader of craftsmen, civic innovator, media pioneer, politician, and the force behind America's greatest Enlightenment city. But all around Franklin, slavery drives the city's prosperity. Sampson, enslaved to Governor James Logan, strikes out for freedom, forcing Quaker power brokers to wrestle with the great evil of their times. And soon, Philadelphia's peaceful charter will face its greatest test, as a violent frontier conflict threatens to explode in the city's streets.

Writing:
  • Nathaniel Popkin

Stars:
Release Date: 2012-04-06
Seasons: 1
TMDb: 0.0/10
  • Country: US
  • Language: English

Other episodes for this season

Fever (1793-1820)
Episode 1 - Fever (1793-1820)
In Penn's Shadow (1680-1720)
Episode 2 - In Penn's Shadow (1680-17...
Franklin's Spark (1720-1765)
Episode 3 - Franklin's Spark (1720-1765)
The Storm (1765-1790)
Episode 4 - The Storm (1765-1790)
Fever (1793-1820)
Episode 5 - Fever (1793-1820)
Disorder (1820-1854)
Episode 6 - Disorder (1820-1854)
An Equal Chance (1855-1871)
Episode 7 - An Equal Chance (1855-187...
The Floodgates Open
Episode 8 - The Floodgates Open
World Stage (1872-1899)
Episode 9 - World Stage (1872-1899)
Awakening (1900-1920)
Episode 10 - Awakening (1900-1920)
Corrupt (1920-1940)
Episode 11 - Corrupt (1920-1940)
Promise for a Better City (1944-1964)
Episode 12 - Promise for a Better City...
The Fight (1965-1978)
Episode 13 - The Fight (1965-1978)
Breakthrough (1978-1994)
Episode 14 - Breakthrough (1978-1994)