Albany Plan of Union- 1754

By
Frieda Haerter
&
Em Cassano
 The Albany Conference- 1754
 British officials established the Albany Conference to discuss
defensive measures against the French because they believed war
with France was eminent; One thing that was suggested was a
"union between ye Royal, Proprietary & Charter Governments."
 The Albany Conference was a gathering of delegates mostly from
northern colonies, (Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island) and
Representatives from the six Iroquois Nations in June of 1754 in
Albany, NY.
 At the time Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were
ruled by royal charter; Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
were Proprietary and Rhode Island and Connecticut were
governed under charter
 The Albany Plan
 Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan which called for
a Grand Council to be selected by the colonial
legislatures where the number of delegates would
be based on the taxes paid by each colony. (2-7
Delegates)
 The plan stated that a single executive (President-
General) to be appointed by the King, who would be
responsible for Indian relations, military
preparedness, and execution of laws regulating
various trade and financial activities.
 Both the colonists and the British Crown rejected
Franklin’s plan because it encroached on their
respective powers, but the Albany Plan remains
important as one of the first documented efforts to
unite the colonies.
 The Iroquois Confederation
 The Iroquois form of government was controversially
believed to be Benjamin Franklin’s main inspiration
for the Albany Plan of Union. He spent time studying
the Iroquois’ ways and found it to be effective-
Benjamin Franklin spent his entire life advocating this
Iroquois idea of a one-house legislature.
 The Iroquois culture greatly influenced the Patriots
during the Revolutionary war as well. The Liberty
Tree came from the Indians’ Tree of Peace. Those who
participated in the Boston Tea Party dressed up as
Mohawks, representing the freedom of the Native
American government.
 This plan, although never carried out, went on to
serve as a model for future organizations of leadership
during the Revolutionary age.