Have you ever heard of the 14th almost state, Franklin? During the building years of the United States in the late 18th century, Franklin was proposed to be the 14th state added. The area of Franklin was supposed to be the upper east area of Tennessee.
After the Revolutionary War North Carolina legislators discussed giving some land to the federal government. The people who inhabited those areas started to discuss plans of self-government. By December of 1784, they had declared themselves the “state of Franklin.” This however had not been recognized by the states due to slow communication between people at the December Conference and the people of the “state of Franklin.” The land that had been given during that time was taken back. This left the people of Franklin without any land to call a state.
But why was the state going to be named Franklin? Originally the state was to be called Frankland, they even had a slogan, “The land of free men.” In the end, they decided to change the name to Franklin. First, in Benjamin Franklin’s honor, they proposed the name. Second, the leaders wanting to add Franklin as a state saw the name Franklin was gaining more traction in the courts. They decided this name would give them a better chance of getting their so-called state to become a reality.
So, why did the state of Franklin eventually fail? The state of Franklin operated like any other state during its time, but it did have its problems. Some of these included a lack of military, tax-free living, and the lack of economic infrastructure. Because of this, the North Carolina government began to give incentives to the people living in the Franklin land to move back to their former government. They also offered to waive all taxes they hadn’t paid during their time living in Franklin. This was all under the notion that Franklin would dissolve letting the people leave the “state.” The state as a whole refused this offer, but it wasn’t long after that many citizens and leaders had moved away.
Questions:
What would you name a state if you could?
Would it be named after you, why or why not?
Do you think Franklin should have stayed as a state?
Sources:
https://www.deseret.com/23922454/history-of-the-state-of-franklin/
https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-state-franklin
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/true-story-short-lived-state-franklin-180964541/
Replies
If I could name a state whatever I wanted, I do not know what I would name it. I don't think that I would come up with a good name. I personally, would not name a state after myself because I just wouldn' t like it or be comfortable with it.
I think it would be really hard for me to come up with a name that was good. I would also not want to name a state after me.
If I could name a state, I would have no idea what to name it. I don't think I'd be able to think of one that is orginal and a good option. I wouldn't name it after me because that seems a little stuck-up and self-centered. I think everything is fine how it is today.
Do you think that Franklin could have stayed a state even with all of their problems?
I would agree, I would have no idea what to name a state if I were given the opportunity. It would be really hard to find a name that was original and a lot of people liked.
I have no clue what what I would name a state if I could. I feel like that is the type of thing that takes a lot of though and I just dont think that people would like my sugguestion. I would not name it after me because I have'nt done anything significant for the US.
Do you think that in order for a state to be named after someone they had to do something significant?
It would take a lot of thought and consideration if you would have to name a state. What would your suggestion be?
If I named a state it would be named after something important. I don't think I would want a state named after me, me personally, I think it would be to weird. I don't think that the state of Franklin would have worked out in the end because of no taxes and the lack of military.
How do you think their lack of military would have stoped the state from working out?
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