Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

The Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1753, aimed to do what?

1. Establish a national bank

2. Call for colonial confederation

3. Promote abolition of slavery

4. Create a unified army

The correct answer is: Call for colonial confederation

The Albany Plan of Union, proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1753, aimed to create a framework for a collective colonial government. This plan sought to encourage the American colonies to unite for their mutual defense and cooperation, especially in response to the growing tensions with Native American tribes and the looming threat of French encroachment during the French and Indian War. Franklin's proposal was groundbreaking in that it called for a confederation of the colonies, allowing them to work together on issues like defense, trade, and diplomacy, which was a novel approach at the time. Although ultimately the plan was not adopted, it laid important groundwork for future discussions about colonial unity leading up to the American Revolution. The other choices do not accurately reflect the objectives of the Albany Plan. Establishing a national bank was not part of its agenda. The abolition of slavery was not a relevant issue in the context of the plan and its time frame. Creating a unified army, while tangentially related to the idea of military cooperation, did not encompass the broader scope of political union that Franklin intended through his plan.