Omar Bennett
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States who gave over sixty years of his life to public service. He was a publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, known for his wit and wisdom. Franklin's thoughts influenced several key aspects of the US Constitution, and his attendance at the Constitutional Convention gave weight to the importance of the gathering. While it is unclear how much of the Constitution he wrote, he did play a significant role in shaping it and was pleased with the final document, signing it on September 17, 1787.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Franklin's age when he closed the convention | 81 years |
| Date Franklin closed the convention | September 17, 1787 |
| Franklin's views on the constitution | He agreed to it despite its faults, and believed a general government was necessary |
| Franklin's views on the national executive branch | He wanted the power to be shared by a small council with frequent changes in members |
| Franklin's views on war and peace | He believed there was never a good war or a bad peace |
| Franklin's views on the future of America | He was hopeful due to its boundless resources but still worried |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin's influence on the US Constitution
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father of the United States and a revered patriot. He gave over sixty years of his life to public service and played a significant role in shaping the nation. Franklin's influence on the US Constitution is evident in several key aspects.
Franklin's experience and wisdom were valuable assets during the Constitutional Convention. Despite his advanced age of 81 and poor health, he actively participated in the debates and offered sage advice. One of the critical issues he weighed in on was the role and structure of the national executive branch. Franklin, having witnessed the pitfalls of monarchy, advocated for a distributed form of executive power. He proposed that authority should be shared by a small council with frequent rotations in membership. This idea contrasted with Alexander Hamilton's preference for a single executive-for-life, resembling an elected monarchy. Ultimately, the delegates reached a compromise by establishing a single executive with a limited term of four years.
Franklin's influence extended beyond policy debates. His presence at the convention, alongside George Washington, lent credibility and significance to the gathering. Franklin's reputation and stature added weight to the proceedings and underscored the importance of the task at hand.
In his farewell speech at the convention, Franklin acknowledged the imperfections of the Constitution but expressed his support for it. He famously said, "I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us… Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best." Franklin's pragmatism and recognition of the need for a functional government united the delegates and fostered a spirit of compromise.
Franklin's influence on the US Constitution also extended beyond the convention. He was a prolific writer and publisher, known for his pithy sayings and proverbs. One of his most famous quotes regarding the Constitution emerged in 1789: "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes." This quote captures Franklin's realistic yet hopeful outlook on the young nation's future.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's influence on the US Constitution was significant. His wisdom, experience, and reputation shaped the structure and principles of the government. Franklin's participation in the Constitutional Convention, his pragmatic support for the final document, and his enduring quotes about the Constitution have cemented his legacy as one of the foundational figures in American history.
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Franklin's thoughts on a general government
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old when he closed the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787. Despite his failing health, he played an influential role in shaping the US Constitution.
Franklin recognized the necessity of a general government for the nation, acknowledging that no form of government is inherently superior, but rather, its effectiveness depends on its administration. He believed that the constitution they had drafted was likely to be well-administered for a period, but warned that it could ultimately lead to despotism if the people became corrupted.
Franklin's pragmatism is evident in his assessment of the constitution. While he acknowledged its imperfections, he also understood the challenges inherent in crafting a perfect document. He recognized that any assembly of individuals would bring their prejudices, passions, errors of opinion, and local interests to the process, making it difficult to achieve perfection.
Franklin's influence extended beyond his words. His presence at the convention and his experience in public service, diplomacy, and as a writer carried weight. Franklin's views on the national executive branch, informed by his knowledge of monarchy, led to a compromise on the structure of the executive authority. He advocated for a small council with rotating members, rather than a single individual holding power indefinitely. This contrasted with Hamilton's preference for an elected monarchy. The delegates ultimately agreed on a single executive to be elected every four years, balancing the desire for centralized authority with checks on power.
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The Constitutional Convention of 1787
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Despite his poor health, he played a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation. Franklin, revered as one of the nation's greatest patriots, offered his wisdom and experience to the delegates, influencing several key aspects of the new Constitution.
One of the critical debates at the convention centred on the role and structure of the national executive branch. Franklin, having witnessed the pitfalls of monarchy firsthand, vigorously opposed concentrating power in the hands of a single individual. Instead, he advocated for a small council that would share executive authority and undergo frequent membership changes. Alexander Hamilton, on the other hand, preferred a single executive-for-life, akin to an elected monarchy. In the end, a compromise was reached, opting for a single executive elected every four years.
Franklin's presence at the convention carried significant weight, and his insights were respected by the delegates. In his farewell speech, presented by James Wilson, Franklin acknowledged the Constitution's imperfections but expressed his support for it, stating, "I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best." Franklin's signature on the Constitution on September 17, 1787, marked his last moment in the spotlight of American history.
The convention addressed contentious issues such as slavery, the determination of the number of representatives in the House, the signing of treaties, and the construction of roads and canals. Despite their disagreements, the delegates worked towards compromise, and Franklin's closing words reflected his hope for continued improvement: "I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought I understood well."
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Franklin's quotes about the Constitution
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was a publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat who became known for his sayings or "proverbs". Franklin's quotes about the Constitution are particularly notable, given that he was 81 at the time of the Constitutional Convention.
Franklin is often quoted as saying, "a penny saved is a penny earned". However, this appears to be a combination of two of his proverbs. Another of his famous quotes is, "Remember that time is money", from "Advice To A Young Tradesman".
Franklin also authored quotes in public documents from his involvement with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitutional Convention, as well as in a large volume of personal correspondence. One of his most notable quotes about the Constitution came in a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy in November 1789, in which he wrote:
> "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes."
Franklin's correspondence with Le Roy was later translated and printed in 1817, making the "death and taxes" proverb a staple in American popular culture.
In his address at the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin stated:
> "I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions which I once thought right."
Franklin also expressed his thoughts on the necessity of a general government, saying:
> "In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other."
Franklin further added:
> "It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another’s throats. Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best."
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Franklin's legacy and fame
Benjamin Franklin is remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and is revered as one of the nation's greatest patriots. He was a publisher, entrepreneur, diplomat, printer, and writer, who also established himself as a gifted scientist.
Franklin's work in the field of electricity is well-known, but he also gave over sixty years of his life to public service. He was a key figure in shaping the nation, offering sage advice and influencing several key aspects of the US Constitution. Franklin's attendance at the Constitutional Convention, alongside George Washington, gave weight to the importance of the gathering. He proudly signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, despite its imperfections, noting that he agreed to it "with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us".
Franklin's wisdom and wit were evident in his writing, and he became known for his sayings or "proverbs" that appeared in Poor Richard's Almanack and his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. He is often quoted, with sayings such as "a penny saved is a penny earned" and "remember that time is money" being attributed to him.
Franklin's fame and legacy extend beyond his contributions to the US Constitution and his writings. He was also a respected diplomat, spending eight years on a diplomatic mission in France before being recalled to America by Congress in 1785. Despite his advancing years and poor health, he continued to work tirelessly for his country, receiving dignitaries and wrapping up loose ends from his time in France.
In conclusion, Benjamin Franklin's legacy and fame are rooted in his diverse talents and contributions to the founding of the United States. His wisdom, public service, and influence on the US Constitution have secured his place in history as one of the nation's greatest patriots.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Benjamin Franklin did not write the US Constitution, but he did play a significant role in its creation. He was 81 years old and in poor health when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and his presence gave weight to the importance of the gathering.
Franklin offered sage advice and his thoughts influenced several key aspects of the US Constitution. One of the critical matters he weighed in on was the role and framework of the national executive branch. Having seen too much of monarchy, Franklin did not want the country’s executive authority to be entrusted in just one man. Instead, he suggested a small council with frequent changes in members. A compromise was reached, and it was decided that a single executive would be elected every four years.
Yes, despite its imperfections, Franklin proudly signed the US Constitution. In his farewell speech, he noted:
> "I agree to this constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general government necessary for us…Thus, I consent, sir, to this constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
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