In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin established the Junto (later the American Philosophical Association) which was a group of men who came together to debate the "hot" topics of the 18th century.
For this time machine, each student will play the role of an 18th century intellectual (mostly clergy) arguing with another intellectual about the most controversial topics of the era. The links below provide summaries of the opposing views.
James Franklin vs. Cotton Mather: Inoculations
Benjamin Franklin v. George Whitefield: Unitarianism
John Wesley v. George Whitefield: Free Will (Arminianism) & Predestination (Calvinism)
Benjamin Franklin v Rev. Thomas Prince: Lightning
The Quakers v. the Whigs: Pacifism
Benjamin Franklin v. Thomas Pownall: Join or Die
Benjamin Franklin v. Roger Sherman: Paper Money
Daniel Boone v. William Johnson: The Proclamation Line of 1763
Jonathan Boucher v. Jonathan Mayhew: Right of Revolution