Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential men of the eighteenth century. He was the only man to sign all of these four major documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Constitution of the United States, and the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain. Franklin was an inventor, a philosopher, a writer, a musician, and he actively participated in many congressional articles used by the government of the United States of America. His tombstone, however, simply referred to him as "printer", reflecting his great humility. One of the things he was most influential in was the separation of the American colonies from British rule. In fact, Benjamin Franklin was vital to the success of the American …show more content…
Walter Isaacson states that William was concerned for his father, but both he and Galloway remained loyalists. Franklin sought after a way to keep America and England under one empire, but he knew that this would only occur if Britain would cease its oppression of the American people. When it became obvious that the King would not stop his endless taxes and limits on trade, a fight for independence became the only clear way to put an end to it. Unfortunately, not every American saw the issue as clearly as Franklin. Most were afraid of the consequences to a rebellion against British rule. John Dickinson, put forward the last appeal to England on July 5. It later became known as the Olive Branch Petition, in which Congress called for the King to "come to America's rescue". On the same day the petition was sent out, Franklin finally decided to let the public know where he stood on this great political issue. Rather than giving a moving speech or making obviously rebellious actions, Benjamin chose to write a letter to a dear friend in England, William Strahan. "You are a Member of Parliament, and one of that Majority which has doomed my country to destruction. You have begun to burn our towns, and murder our people. Look upon your hands! They are stained with the blood of your relations! You and I were long friends: You are now my enemy, and I am, Yours,"
According to Isaacson, the most peculiar thing about
Before the Declaration of Independence was signed, colonists were treated very unfairly by their mother-countries leader, King George III. King George had not helped the 13 colonies in any way and really only used them to gain wealth for Great Britain and himself. George’s method of gaining wealth from the 13 colonies was that they could only trade to Great Britain, which did not help the 13 colonies expand as a country. Also, he heavily taxed colonists on the western hemisphere because he needed aid to pay off his former war debts. The colonists were not happy about his acts because it gave them little opportunity of expanding their wealth or fortune which, is the main idea of coming to the “New World.” This made colonists very angry now was thickening the hatred for their leader they were now just as motivated as the politicians; resulting in, plenty of change, leading to the American Revolution. Jefferson understood the colonists and he was able to express or summarize their ideas, thoughts, and motivations through the document; “We the People”. Even though the Declaration of Independence was a main contribute to the ending of the American Revolution, the war had lasted an extra five years with Britain. Britain did not want to lose the 13 colonies
Even though, those are important and they are needed almost everyday, his biggest impact was on the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, Franklin was appointed by the Continental Congress to justify political ties with Britain. Although, Franklin was a talented writer, he let T.Jefferson write the first draft due to his poor health. Next, Jefferson turned in his first draft to Franklin and he really didn’t make any changes to the errors probably because he was sick or he was just being lazy. Once the draft was sent to Congress they either changed the errors or they just deleted the whole sentence that had errors. Finally after several drafts, Congress finally approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4,1776. The actual document wasn’t signed until mid August, and that’s when Ben signed his name along with 55 other representatives. (“Founding Father”)
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most successful founding fathers of our nation and helped establish American independence from Great Britain. He was a key member in the development of the political backbone that has shaped this country into what it is today. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most humble and inspirational figures of that time. He was a major factor in the outcome of the war of Independence and in his selfless actions of leaving his family, won the help from the French to assist America in the fight against England. Although Benjamin Franklin never made it to be president he was a leader among his peers. He invented many things that we still use today such as the library, bifocals, and the postal service. He helped
After money, supplies, and soldiers began running low the Continental Congress chose Benjamin Franklin to negotiate a French alliance. Benjamin Franklin played many roles in the American Revolution had previously introduced the Albany plan which later became the groundwork in writing the Articles of Confederation (first constitution). He also testified against the Stamp Act and helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Later in 1776 he went to France as an American delegate and successfully got French help in the Revolutionary war effort.
Washington's troops were able to drive the British out of Boston by March 1776 and the continental congress “ continued moving towards independence”(eyewitness p.90.) by assembling a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence and another for the Articles of Confederation. These steps that the country was taking showed Britain that they no longer want to be controlled by Britain’s dominant government and the delegates wanted to make their own where they can practice more of their independence. In June 1776 Thomas Jefferson was selected to write The Declaration of Independence by the committee because he was believed to be an educated man and his writing was “remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression”( Eyewitness p.91.) When the Declaration of Independence was drafted it caused some conflicts between the member of congress which “There were two or three unlucky expressions that gave offense to some members”( Eyewitness p.93.) said, Thomas Jefferson. Some included remarks about the repeal of the importation of slaves that was many southern gentlemen disapproved. When trying to compromise on an idea for the different views of the delegates Thomas Jefferson turns to the advice of Benjamin Franklin that later on helps him that people have different ideas on certain subjects and not all of them will be able to agree. When it came to the subject of slavery “Thomas Jefferson’s southern
Benjamin, being a respected writer and the owner of several newspapers, had much influence. The people of the colonies read what he had to say intently, and he informed them of the nasty rules and regulations the British were imposing on them. Liberty became an important ideal at this time causing tension between the Colonies and the British government. This tension is the causation for a committee of individuals to come together and write the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This committee included Benjamin Franklin, who was the key writer of this document; afterward, a copy was sent to the King to make him aware of the growing intolerance of his rules.
Few men can be credited with helping found America, one who can was Ben Franklin. According to Samantha Cole, the author of the article "a Founding Father," Ben Franklin was a political idealist and philosopher, which allowed him to 'see' the idea of America. Supporting this idea he made it his goal to use his skills as a diplomat to be the first American ambassador to France, this was crucial to making his vision of the USA reality. By doing this he managed to garner the French's support, and got them to fight alongside America against the
Taking action into a revolution (to gain American freedom) was a very revolutionary event at this time. Earlier, when the colonies were still being controlled by English Parliament, they had strict laws and orders that were to be carried out. Following the French and Indian war, colonists were struck with multiple taxes and acts to pay for the war. This enraged the people, and caused them to take a stand. Like shown in document 1, these people had enough of the government and took some major risks to prove to the British that they were done. They wanted a revolution. Quickly after actions were being made to inform England about their decision, they wrote the Declaration of Independence to make sure that they would be able to live favorably
John Adams spent many years of his life battling for independence at the Continental Congress. He believed all colonies had the right to be independent. Once all of the colonies came together, a treasonable document was produced. If Great Britain had crushed the rebellion, the signers of the Declaration of Independence would have been hanged. Great Britain was known to deal very harsh with punishments. Everybody in the room at that time knew they were making the correct decision, but along with the decision could come great consequences. The consequences were great fears of theirs, but if the United States of America did not get independence, the future would have been in danger.
Discoveries, Historical Events and Evolution took place mostly in the eighteenth century. Benjamin Franklin was one of the many people to discover new outcomes in science experiments, take part of important historical events in the newborn America and was the main reason why America evolved as an Independent Nation today. The thirteen colonies was ruled by the British in the eighteenth century. These colonies were located along the eastern coast of America.
Franklin was a well known and respected figure in all regions of the world. He was known for his high intellect, honesty and good intentions. Franklin was liked by many and kept good relations with many different regions, such as in Great Britain, the colonies as well as France. Having such a good image in the eyes of the other powers made him especially important to the Continental Congress. Having a good reputation with France, allowed Franklin to work with the French in hopes to have them help the colonist in search for independence. Franklin got the French to lend money as well as a helping hand while fighting the British. Without Franklin, the colonist would have never gotten the help they needed, since the French saw the colonist as unreliable and not trustworthy. But this is not the only thing Franklin did to help the colonist gain independence, he was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence as well as a co-contributor to the framework of the constitution. Now, Franklin did not only impact the colonist when dealing with their independence, but he also attempted to mend the bond between the colonist and Britain before things worsened. He initially was doing everything in his power to prevent the colonies from declaring independence, however, since Britain was not cooperating, the result was inevitable. Throughout Franklin’s adulthood, he held many important political positions, such as the state representative of Pennsylvania as well as an official diplomat and ambassador of the thirteen colonies. Franklin was such a powerful figure in the eyes of the United States, that Congress would not allow Franklin to retire until the constitution was signed and the United States was at peace. Franklin was already eighty-two, when he was finally granted retirement and able to step down from political power. Benjamin Franklin helped the colonist in achieving their independence every step of
Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin changed America simply by living and breathing inventions. Benjamin Franklin lived from 1706 to 1790. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a polymath, printer, leading author, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. As a scientist he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries regarding electricity.
Finally, Benjamin Franklin was a big influence was because he was a big part of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was a document that the Second Continental Congress sent to King George about
The Declaration of Independence starts with the reactions of Americans to the king’s taxes. The colonists were sick of his tyranny and decided to cut ties with Britain. Once the Declaration was created, signed, and published chaos reigned all over the colonies. Colonists had to decide whether to stay and be loyalists to fight with Britain or be patriots and go against Britain. If they didn’t want to fight at all, they fled to another country like Canada. If it weren’t for the important figures like John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, and many more along with the Continental Army’s strategy, we might not have what we call today America. We would still be under Britain’s rule.
Benjamin Franklin is the greatest American scientists in 18th century, politicians and famous writer, but also publishers, printers, reporter, writer, philanthropist; it is an outstanding diplomat and inventor. He is America's first internationally acclaimed scientist and inventor and musician. Electrically significant achievements, in order to explore the power once made the famous "kite experiment", in order to further explore the electrical activity of the law, he borrowed the concept of positive and negative on mathematics, the first scientifically with positive and negative electric concept a charge properties. Many specific terms such as the creation of positive and negative electricity, conductors, batteries, charging, discharging and other world-wide vocabulary. And the charge cannot be made creation, nor destroyed the idea, later on the basis of the law of conservation of charge found. He first proposed the idea of a lightning rod, thereby manufacturing a lightning rod to avoid the disaster struck by lightning, get rid of superstition. He is an excellent politician, the old soldier of the American Revolution. He participated in the drafting of the "Declaration of Independence" and the Constitution of the United