Cornell Note Header Date: 1-5-15 Course: Art I- Art II Unit: Benjamin Franklin Topic: Ben Franklin’s Money Designs

State Standards Covered 3.3 Identify how the issues of time, place, and cultural influence are reflected in works of art. 4.1Discuss how personal beliefs, cultural traditions, and current social, economic, and political contexts influence the interpretation of the meaning or message in a work of art.

SLO’s Informed citizens Quality self-directed learners Effective communicators Critical thinkers

Please answer this question: The Big Question Please answer this question: Why is it important to be aware of the history, heritage, people who founded, and values of your country?

Ben Franklin Numismatician (Expert on Money)

Who was Ben Franklin? One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America A polymath (expert in many different fields) Author Printer Political Theorist Politician Postmaster Civic Activist Statesman Diplomat Scientist Theories of Electricity, Physics, etc. Inventor Lightning Rod, Bifocals, Franklin Stove, etc.

Franklin’s Money Though he was a strong advocate of paper money and published pamphlets defending its use, the first paper money in the US was not created by Ben Franklin. It was first used before he was born. He did begin designing and printing official paper money for the Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey Colonies in 1731.

printing Innovation Franklin invented “Nature” printing, in which lead castings of real leaves were created and used on printing plates. Because the outlines and veins of each leaf were unique, they could not be duplicated This made counterfeiting almost impossible.

Continental Currency In 1775, the Second Continental Congress commissioned Franklin to design and print “continental dollars” to finance George Washington’s Continental Army

Franklin’s Symbolism Because people had to read what was printed on bills to tell how much they were worth, Franklin viewed them as a unique way to spread republican propaganda. Franklin added mottos and symbolic images to money designs to reinforce the ideals and values of the Republic.

Examples of Symbolism Franklin’s one dollar bill shows a plant crushed under a large weight, with the Latin motto, Depressa Resurgit, which means, “though crushed, it recovers” Symbolizes that though it would be difficult, America would survive the hardships of the Revolutionary war.

This Franklin designed bill shows a hand threshing grain with a flail with the Latin motto, Tribulatio Ditat, which means, "affliction improves it." It symbolizes that threshing, or beating "often improves those that are threshed.”

Franklin felt that many unwarlike nations have been “beaten into heroes by troublesome warlike neighbors." He believed that when people become more frugal and hard-working because of war, they kept these good habits after the war was over, so war could have a positive effect.

The Modern Dollar Bill The back includes the front and back of the official Great Seal of the United States Though Ben Franklin was on the committee assigned by the Continental Congress to design the seal, their design was not approved.

Symbolism of The Great Seal The national bird the Bald Eagle, symbolizing America, holds a scroll in its beak which says E pluribus Unum - which means Out of Many, One, representing one nation created from 13 colonies. The eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in its left. The olive branch and arrows are symbols for the power of peace and war. (front)

Symbolism of The Great Seal The Pyramid symbolizing the original 13 states is unfinished, symbolizing that there is room to add more states to the nation The Eye and Latin motto Annuit Coeptis, mean He favors our undertakings, or fate shines on us. The scroll reads Novus Ordo Seclorum - Latin for New Order of the Ages, refers to 1776 as the beginning of the American new era. (back)

Benjamin Franklin's head is on the $100 bill as a way to honor his important contributions to American history

Please answer this question: Essential Question Please answer this question: What do the symbols on US money say about the attitudes and values of America’s Founding Fathers?