Amanda McQuade

Benjamin Franklin HIPP Document Analysis

H: Historical Context
Benjamin Franklin mentions several references to many events in colonial history. When
Franklin is asked, “For what purposes are those taxes laid?” In reference to their previous
questionings about Americans paying taxes given by Parliament, Franklin’s answer supports
that these taxes are intended on repaying British debt of the Seven Year’s War in order to
expand England’s empire, and used the colonies as a way of repairing this debt. Franklin is also
able to predict the future of taxation in America, later seen in the Stamp Act and Charles
Townshed issuing that colonies would have to be forced into paying taxes (seen in Franklin’s
answer of the colonists thinking it would be “unconstitutional and unjust”) and how England uses
America’s resources (such as in the Sugar Act of 1764 and Currency Act of 1764) to repurpose
mercantilism for power. As predicted by Franklin, this lead to future resistance by the Colonists.

I: Intended Audience
At this time, Benjamin Franklin was a representative of many of the colonies, and he is
presenting this to everyone, colonial and British. He is addressing an interviewer, but his word
choice indicates he wants to speak to all people, including the monarchs, or his predictions on
the taxes and how America would have the urge to rebel these taxes.

P: Point of View
He carries the point of view of an American, speaking about the issues from the
viewpoint of American colonists, and how they feel about taxation.

P: Purpose
His Purpose is to speak to the British Parliment and King about his concerns regarding
the taxation system, and this also serves as a warning to them; if they don’t repeal these tax
laws, there will be serious consequences for the English.