Malcolm Rivera
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the formation of the U.S. Constitution. At 81, he was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he gave a speech to convince three delegates to abandon their refusal to sign the Constitution. Franklin, a seasoned diplomat, brought his insight and patriotism to the creation of this document, championing First Amendment freedoms and the freedom of the press. He also played a role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally recognised America's new status. Franklin's last public service was in the Constitutional Convention, where he was respected and admired.
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What You'll Learn
Franklin was a proponent of freeing American slaves
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States and a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a scientist, writer, printer, publisher, diplomat, and political philosopher, among other careers. In his later years, he became a vocal abolitionist, and in 1787, he served as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.
Franklin's views on slavery changed significantly during his time in London. He is known to have financially benefited from the slave trade earlier in his life, having owned slaves himself and profited from advertising the sale of enslaved people in his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. However, by the time he returned to Philadelphia in 1785, he had become an abolitionist, freeing his two slaves.
In 1787, at the age of 81, Franklin became the President of the Philadelphia Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, also known as the Abolition Society. The organisation, founded by a group of abolitionist Quakers in 1774, focused on abolishing slavery and helping emancipated people transition to a life of liberty. The same year, Franklin signed a public anti-slavery appeal, and weeks before the Constitutional Convention, he gave a famous public address condemning slavery and urging Congress to act.
Franklin's last public act was to petition Congress on behalf of the society, imploring them to "cut the cancer of slavery out of the American body politic" and grant liberty "to those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded into perpetual bondage." This petition, signed on February 3, 1790, just over two months before Franklin's death, was immediately denounced by pro-slavery congressmen and sparked a heated debate.
Thus, while Franklin's early life included participation in the slave trade, he later became a vocal proponent of freeing American slaves, using his position and influence to advocate for abolition and support the integration of formerly enslaved people into American society.
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He was the oldest signer of the US Constitution
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents and interests. He was a printer, a writer, and a scientist, with a particular interest in electricity. He was also a politician, serving in the Pennsylvania legislature for twelve years. He was a diplomat, too, acting as the American Minister to France during the Revolutionary War and gaining French support for the new American nation. Franklin was also a proponent of freeing American slaves.
Franklin's last public service was as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. At 81, he was the oldest delegate and played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. Constitution. Franklin was a respected figure, and his conciliatory tone helped forge the "Great Compromise", which balanced representation in the House and the Senate for large and small states, respectively.
Despite his advanced age and health issues, Franklin gave a speech at the convention, addressing his own reservations about the Constitution. He acknowledged that there were parts of the document he did not approve of, but he also recognised the possibility that his opinions might change with time and better information. This humility and openness to change helped sway delegates who were opposed to signing.
Franklin understood the importance of a unified front in presenting the Constitution to the American people. He crafted the wording for the signatures, which emphasised the unanimity of the states present. While some delegates refused to sign due to the absence of a Bill of Rights, Franklin's proposed form encouraged others to sign, even if they did not fully support the document.
Franklin's wisdom and experience were invaluable to the process of forming the Constitution. As the oldest signer, he brought a unique perspective and a willingness to compromise, ensuring that the final document reflected a balance of interests and the best interests of the nation as a whole.
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Franklin was a champion of First Amendment freedoms
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the formation of the U.S. Constitution and a passionate advocate for First Amendment freedoms. Franklin's commitment to freedom of speech and the press was evident throughout his life, from his early career as a printer and publisher to his later diplomatic roles.
Franklin's support for freedom of the press is well-documented. He purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1730, and his wise and witty writing made the paper a success. Franklin's popular publication, Poor Richard's Almanack, earned him significant wealth and leisure time, demonstrating the power of the press as a platform for expression and influence.
Franklin's belief in the importance of free speech extended beyond the written word. During the Constitutional Convention, Franklin proposed that the delegates begin each day with prayer, recognising the role of religion and free expression in shaping ideas and decisions. While this proposal was ultimately unsuccessful, it highlights Franklin's commitment to fostering an environment that valued diverse perspectives.
Franklin's dedication to freedom of speech and the press was also evident in his diplomatic pursuits. As American Minister to France during the Revolutionary War, Franklin successfully gained French support for the new American nation. He established his own printing press in Passy, France, using it to disseminate American propaganda and shape public opinion through his writing.
Franklin's contributions to the U.S. Constitution were significant. As the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin brought seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the creation of this foundational document. He played a pivotal role in negotiating the "Great Compromise," addressing contentious issues of state representation by balancing representation based on population with equal representation in the Senate.
In his speeches and writings, Franklin expressed a nuanced understanding of the challenges inherent in constitution-building. He acknowledged that the document had flaws but recognised the importance of a general government and the potential for it to be "a blessing to the people if well administered." Franklin's pragmatism and respect for the process united the delegates, and his proposed form for the signatures on the Constitution encouraged unanimity.
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He helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the formation of the U.S. Constitution. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, contributing to the Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence, and later served as a diplomat in France, where he gained French support for the new American nation. Franklin's popularity in France and his own printing press at Passy allowed him to frequently print American propaganda.
In 1783, Franklin played a significant role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the American Revolutionary War and recognised the independence of the United States. Franklin was one of the American commissioners in France who negotiated with Great Britain. He insisted on British recognition of American independence and refused to consider a separate peace from France, America's staunch ally. Franklin agreed to formal negotiations with the British, which began on September 27, 1782, and resulted in preliminary articles of peace. He demanded the cessation of Canada to an independent America, knowing that the British government, opposed to American independence, was unlikely to accept.
The negotiations resulted in a preliminary peace treaty, signed in Paris on November 30, 1782. The final Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, formally recognising the independence of the United States and establishing its boundaries. Franklin, along with John Adams and John Jay, signed the treaty as ministers plenipotentiary, exchanging solemn ratifications within six months of the signing.
Franklin's involvement in the Treaty of Paris was a crucial step towards securing international recognition of the new nation and establishing peaceful relations with Great Britain. His diplomatic skills and persistence in advocating for American independence contributed to the successful conclusion of the treaty.
Franklin's last public service was in the Constitutional Convention, where he played a pivotal role in convincing reluctant delegates to sign the Constitution. Despite his advanced age and health issues, Franklin gave a speech to address the concerns of those who refused to sign, emphasising the importance of unanimity. His proposed form for the signatures allowed delegates to attest to the Convention's unanimity without explicitly endorsing the Constitution. Franklin's respect and admiration among his peers influenced the delegates' decision to sign the document.
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Franklin's civic involvement led to political activities
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents and interests. He was a printer, writer, scientist, and statesman. Franklin gave over sixty years of his life to public service, and his civic interests and involvement led to political activities.
In Philadelphia, Franklin involved himself in public welfare, firefighting, and education. By 1751, he was in the Pennsylvania legislature, where he served for twelve years. During the Revolutionary War, he acted as the American Minister to France, gaining French support for the new American nation. He was enormously popular in France, and he frequently printed American propaganda and witty amusements.
Franklin's civic involvement and political activities culminated in his role in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he was the oldest delegate at eighty-one years old. He gave a speech to convince the three delegates who had refused to sign the Constitution—Gerry, Randolph, and Mason—to abandon their opposition. Franklin expressed his doubts about certain parts of the Constitution but ultimately consented to it, stating that he expected no better, and believed it could end in despotism if the people became corrupted. He proposed a form for the signing of the Constitution, which was thought up by Gouverneur Morris, and Franklin's esteem lent it credence.
Franklin's last public service was in the Constitutional Convention, where he enjoyed the respect and admiration due to a living legend. He was a proponent of freeing American slaves and a lifetime champion of First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press.
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Frequently asked questions
Benjamin Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he helped shape the U.S. Constitution. He was the oldest signer of the Constitution, bringing seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the process.
Benjamin Franklin was a proponent of freedom of the press and a champion of First Amendment freedoms. He also played a role in negotiating the "Great Compromise", which addressed state representation. Additionally, he proposed a form for the signatures on the Constitution, suggesting that it should indicate unanimous consent rather than individual support.
Benjamin Franklin acknowledged that there were parts of the Constitution that he did not approve of, but he recognized the importance of a general government and believed that it could be a blessing if well administered. He also emphasized the value of unanimity and hoped that the delegates would act heartily in recommending the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin was a man of many talents and public service roles. He was a gifted writer and printer, establishing successful publications such as the Pennsylvania Gazette and Poor Richard's Almanack. He also served in the Pennsylvania legislature for twelve years and acted as American Minister to France during the Revolutionary War, gaining French support for the new American nation.
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