As Benjamin Franklin Left the Room in Which the Constitutional

question 76

Essay

As Benjamin Franklin left the room in which the Constitutional Convention was held, supposedly a woman asked him, "What have you men given us in there?" He replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." What do you think Franklin meant by that statement? Certainly think back to his tablet of virtues and the virtuous citizenry that all the founding fathers believed were essential. Your response should pull from the writings of The Federalist as well.

---

Definitions:

Malthusian Prediction

The theory proposed by Thomas Malthus that population growth will outpace agricultural production, leading to widespread poverty and famine.

Population Growth

The increase in the number of individuals in a population, usually expressed as an annual rate.

Standards Of Living

The level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a person, community, or nation, indicating the quality of life.

Demographic Transition

A model that describes the change from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economic system.