Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706, as one of seventeen children. Of the titles he holds, Founding Father, inventor, and scientist are just a few. He is perhaps best known for having his face on the 100 dollar bill and “discovering” electricity. Franklin’s father was a soap and candle maker. When Franklin was only 10 years old, he was pulled out of school to assist in the family business. He also worked as an apprentice at his uncle’s printing shop as a young boy before quitting and moving to Philadelphia, where he would live for most of his life.
Franklin had various jobs in Philadelphia until the American Revolution began. He organized the very first fire department in the United States and served as a representative for several …show more content…
This was critical because the colonies needed French support to succeed against the British. England and France were enemies. France had been humiliated by defeat in the French and Indian war, and was eager for vengeance, and the Americans needed an ally. The alliance would be beneficial to both countries. Franklin lived in a home outside of Paris, which became the center of American Diplomacy in France. He spent time with the upper classes, getting friendly and mingling with them. He won the French over with charm and charisma, gaining financial and military support for the United States colonies. Without Franklin and France’s assistance, the Americans likely would not have defeated the British. Many believe it was the influence of Franklin and the American Revolution that inspired France to start their own revolution in 1789. This turned Franklin into a beloved figure in both French and American history.
Because of Franklin’s previous diplomatic success, the newly formed U.S. government appointed him to negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Thanks to Franklin, the treaty effectively ended the Revolutionary War. The colonies were at last free, and could begin to form their new country. It also secured the U.S. large territory between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. Franklin had the Constitution translated and presented to the King and Queen of France and all French foreign …show more content…
He published many controversial and satirical works that last in legacy to this day. Under pseudonyms, he published Poor Richard’s Alamanack and the Silence Dogood letters. Franklin tried to publish the letters under his own name, but when denied, he chose to publish them under a fake one in the New England Courant. The pseudonym, Silence Do Good, is perhaps an angry jab at those who did not want his letters published. The letters poke fun at many aspects of colonial life. In 1751, he created the motto of the American Revolution, “Don’t Tread on Me”, with its famous image of a curled rattlesnake. He published a drawing of the snake that said below, “Join, or Die” in reference to the Revolution. This was one of the first American political cartoons, a feature and tradition of newspapers and magazines that continues to this day. Franklin also made many inventions, such as the invention of bifocal glasses, which he wore. The glasses are still associated with him to this day. He invented the lightning rod, which can be seen on many tall buildings, to protect them from lightning strikes. He formed the first public library in the United States as well.
Franklin may have been one of the very first supporters of the abolition of slavery. He advocated opening a school to educate black slaves in Philadelphia. By 1770, he had freed all the slaves he owned, but he did not discuss the problem of slavery at the
Franklin had various jobs in Philadelphia until the American Revolution began. He organized the very first fire department in the United States and served as a representative for several …show more content…
This was critical because the colonies needed French support to succeed against the British. England and France were enemies. France had been humiliated by defeat in the French and Indian war, and was eager for vengeance, and the Americans needed an ally. The alliance would be beneficial to both countries. Franklin lived in a home outside of Paris, which became the center of American Diplomacy in France. He spent time with the upper classes, getting friendly and mingling with them. He won the French over with charm and charisma, gaining financial and military support for the United States colonies. Without Franklin and France’s assistance, the Americans likely would not have defeated the British. Many believe it was the influence of Franklin and the American Revolution that inspired France to start their own revolution in 1789. This turned Franklin into a beloved figure in both French and American history.
Because of Franklin’s previous diplomatic success, the newly formed U.S. government appointed him to negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Thanks to Franklin, the treaty effectively ended the Revolutionary War. The colonies were at last free, and could begin to form their new country. It also secured the U.S. large territory between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean. Franklin had the Constitution translated and presented to the King and Queen of France and all French foreign …show more content…
He published many controversial and satirical works that last in legacy to this day. Under pseudonyms, he published Poor Richard’s Alamanack and the Silence Dogood letters. Franklin tried to publish the letters under his own name, but when denied, he chose to publish them under a fake one in the New England Courant. The pseudonym, Silence Do Good, is perhaps an angry jab at those who did not want his letters published. The letters poke fun at many aspects of colonial life. In 1751, he created the motto of the American Revolution, “Don’t Tread on Me”, with its famous image of a curled rattlesnake. He published a drawing of the snake that said below, “Join, or Die” in reference to the Revolution. This was one of the first American political cartoons, a feature and tradition of newspapers and magazines that continues to this day. Franklin also made many inventions, such as the invention of bifocal glasses, which he wore. The glasses are still associated with him to this day. He invented the lightning rod, which can be seen on many tall buildings, to protect them from lightning strikes. He formed the first public library in the United States as well.
Franklin may have been one of the very first supporters of the abolition of slavery. He advocated opening a school to educate black slaves in Philadelphia. By 1770, he had freed all the slaves he owned, but he did not discuss the problem of slavery at the