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
Why would you name the State Arktana?
If I got the chance to name a state whatever I wanted, I would ask for help becasue I can't even think of a name. I would never name a state after me I feel like that is werid. I think it would have been cool but I think that our states are good as is.
Who would you ask for help from in order to help you name a state?
Asking for hlep would be a good idea, especially with something as important as naming a state.
I don't think I'd want to name a state if I could because I wouldn't be able to decide on something that I thought was good. I wouldn't name it after me because I don't think I'd want something like that named after me. I don't think Franklin should've stayed a state, but maybe a town.
How could Franklin have worked out as a town? That is an interesting point and I like where you were going with it.
I would have a hard time deciding if it was a good name or not. It might be difficult to come up with a name all on your own, so having a group do it might be better.
I would have no clue what to name a state if I got the chance to. If I did name a state I would not name it after me, I would name it after something important. I think it would have been fine if we left Franklin as a state.
Why do you think it would have been fine to leave Franklin as a state?
I think Franklin could have remained as a state. Some of the problems they created would need laws to fix them in order to stay as a state.
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