- Benjamin Franklin published “Join, or Die,” the first known American cartoon, in his …
Officials of Britain's North American colonies met with Iroquois tribal representatives in Albany, New York, in 1754. The main purpose of the meeting was to gain the support of the Iroquois in a war with France that was just beginning. The meeting is now best known for the Albany Plan of Union that was drawn up by Benjamin Franklin. Some of the ideas in this plan were used to create the United States of America 22 years later. The Albany Congress met between June 19 and July 11, 1754. Delegates from New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maryland attended the conference. Also present were 150 members of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. IssuesThe Iroquois' long-time enemies the Algonquian tribes were allied with the French, making the Iroquois natural allies of the British in the French and Indian War. However, the Iroquois had several complaints with the British colonies. They complained that settlers were stealing their lands. They also said that the English were trading illegally with the French. This prevented the Iroquois from earning profit as middlemen. The Congress promised to deal with these matters, and the Iroquois left without committing themselves. Plan of UnionThe colonists recognized the need for greater unity in dealing with these problems. The Congress therefore suggested a union of all the British colonies in North America. A plan drawn up by Benjamin Franklin called for one general government to manage defense and Indian affairs, pass laws, and raise taxes. The chief executive, called the president-general, was to be appointed by the king of England. The legislature, called the Grand Council, was to consist of representatives appointed by the colonial legislatures. The Albany Plan of Union was passed by the congress but went no further. Both the king and the colonies opposed the Albany plan. Each thought that the plan gave away too much power. It was, nevertheless, a document that had far-reaching effects. The idea of a congress of all the colonies was taken up again 20 years later in the First Continental Congress. The eventual result was the United States of America. |