Isabella Carter
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. Constitution. At 81, he was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where his wisdom and experience influenced several key aspects of the new constitution. Franklin was a strong advocate for a united colonial confederation, and his insights and patriotism contributed to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. With a lifetime dedicated to public service, Franklin's involvement in the Constitutional Convention was instrumental in shaping the nation and its future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 | 81 |
| Role | Oldest delegate |
| Concerns | Role and framework of the national executive branch |
| Proposal | Power shared by a small council with frequent changes in members |
| Opposition | Hamilton, who wanted an elected monarchy |
| Compromise | Single executive to be elected every four years |
| Other contributions | Helped negotiate a peace treaty officially ending the Revolutionary War; helped gain French support for the new American nation; was a champion of First Amendment freedoms |
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What You'll Learn
Franklin was the oldest signer of the US Constitution
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the formation of the United States and played a significant role in shaping the country's Constitution. At 81, Franklin was the oldest delegate to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Despite his advanced age and poor health, he actively participated in the debates and discussions, offering his wisdom and experience.
Franklin's presence at the Convention carried significant weight, and he was instrumental in reaching the landmark "Great Compromise". This compromise addressed the contentious issue of state representation, granting proportional representation in the House of Representatives while ensuring equal representation in the Senate. Franklin's proposal for a council-based executive branch, influenced by his aversion to monarchy, also shaped the structure of the national executive branch.
Beyond his contributions to the Constitution, Franklin had a long and illustrious career in public service. He was a prolific writer and printer, using his platform to advocate for various causes. He was also a renowned scientist and inventor, establishing himself as a gifted intellect. Franklin's civic interests led him to pursue political activities, serving in the Pennsylvania legislature and the Philadelphia City Council.
Franklin's international experience and reputation made him an effective diplomat. He served as the American Minister to France during the Revolutionary War, successfully gaining French support for the American cause. His popularity in France further enhanced his influence, and he became a cultural icon among the French intellectual elite.
Franklin's signing of the Constitution was a symbolic act, bringing his seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the founding documents of the nation. His contributions to the Constitutional Convention were among his last acts of public service, concluding a lifetime dedicated to shaping and improving the United States.
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He was a proponent of freeing American slaves
Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and played a significant role in the creation of the Constitution. He was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris peace with Britain, and the Constitution.
> [Slavery is] an atrocious debasement of human nature.
>
> — Benjamin Franklin
Franklin's views on slavery evolved over his lifetime. In his early years, he owned slaves and financially benefited from the slave trade. However, his time in London significantly changed his perspective. By the 1780s, he had become a vocal abolitionist, writing a famous public address condemning slavery and urging Congress to act. He also anonymously criticised slavery in print, attacking the institution and the global slave trade.
In 1787, weeks before the Constitutional Convention, Franklin signed a public anti-slavery appeal, stating that "the Creator of the world had made 'of one flesh, all the children of men'." That same year, he helped write a new constitution for the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery and became its president. Franklin also advocated for the education of Black slaves in Philadelphia as early as 1758.
In his later years, Franklin wrote several essays stressing the importance of abolishing slavery and integrating African Americans into American society. He became a vocal abolitionist, serving as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery from 1787 until his death in 1790. On February 3, 1790, Franklin signed an anti-slavery petition to the first Congress, asking them to "devise means for removing the Inconsistency from the Character of the American People" and to "promote mercy and justice toward this distressed Race."
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Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787
Benjamin Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. At 81 years old, he was the oldest delegate to attend. Franklin's presence at the convention, alongside George Washington, lent the gathering an air of importance. He was a revered patriot, having returned from France in 1785, where he had served as the American minister, helping to negotiate an end to the Revolutionary War and secure French support for the new American nation.
Franklin's experience and wisdom were respected, and he offered valuable advice and guidance to the younger delegates. He was a strong voice for unity and compromise, and his influence can be seen in several key aspects of the Constitution. Franklin was a proponent of a strong central government, but he did not want the country's executive authority to be vested in a single person, having seen too much of monarchy. Instead, he favoured a small council with frequent rotations of members. A compromise was reached, with the delegates agreeing to a single executive to be elected every four years.
Franklin was also a passionate advocate for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. He believed in the importance of forming voluntary associations to benefit society and was a lifelong champion of First Amendment freedoms. Despite his advanced age and poor health, Franklin played a significant role in shaping the Constitution and was one of the signatories to the document.
During the Constitutional Convention, Franklin also attempted to address the issue of slavery, which he considered "an atrocious debasement of human nature." However, he refused to publicly debate the matter, and his efforts did not lead to any immediate changes in the Constitution regarding slavery. Nonetheless, Franklin's presence and contributions to the Constitutional Convention were instrumental in shaping the foundation of the United States.
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He was a champion of First Amendment freedoms
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in the creation of the U.S. Constitution and a lifelong advocate for First Amendment freedoms, especially freedom of the press. Franklin's wisdom and experience were instrumental in shaping the Constitution. He was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, at 81 years of age, and his conciliatory approach helped forge the landmark "Great Compromise". This compromise balanced representation in the House and Senate, reflecting the interests of both large and small states.
Franklin's influence extended beyond the Constitutional Convention. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he played a pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Franklin's international experience and diplomatic skills led to his appointment as one of the first ministers to France, where he successfully garnered French support for the fledgling American nation. Franklin's popularity in France further bolstered his influence, and he ultimately helped negotiate a peace treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary War.
Franklin's commitment to freedom of the press was rooted in his own background as a printer and writer. He began his career as an apprentice to a Boston printer at the age of twelve and later purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette, which flourished under his witty and insightful writing. Franklin's publications, such as Poor Richard's Almanack, not only brought him financial success but also provided a platform to express his ideas and shape public discourse.
In addition to his advocacy for freedom of the press, Franklin was a proponent of religious freedom. During the Constitutional Convention, he proposed the practice of daily common prayer, recognising the importance of spiritual unity in a diverse nation. While this proposal was not adopted, it reflected Franklin's belief in the role of faith in society.
Franklin's contributions to the Constitution and his defence of First Amendment freedoms were underpinned by his belief in the potential for humanity's advancement. He was a prolific inventor and scientist, making significant discoveries that improved the lives of his fellow colonists. Franklin's faith in progress and his commitment to liberty made him a champion of freedom and a pivotal figure in the founding of the United States.
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Franklin was a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence
Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence. He was the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence, bringing seasoned intellect, insight, and patriotism to the creation of this document. In 1775, Franklin returned to Philadelphia from London and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. There, he was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation to form a new union.
Franklin's civic involvement and experience led him to become involved in politics. By 1751, he was in the Pennsylvania legislature, where he served for twelve years. He also became a member of the Philadelphia City Council in 1748, marking the beginning of his over four decades of involvement in American politics and statecraft. During the Revolutionary War, he acted as the American Minister to France, successfully gaining French support for the new American nation.
In addition to his role in the Declaration of Independence, Franklin also contributed to the formation of the United States Constitution. He was the oldest delegate to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and his conciliatory voice helped shape several key aspects of the Constitution. Franklin was a proponent of sharing executive power among a small council with frequent changes in members, rather than vesting it in a single person. He also advocated for daily common prayer during the convention.
Franklin's influence extended beyond his political roles. He was a prolific writer and printer, publishing works such as "Poor Richard's Almanack," which earned him significant wealth. He was also a gifted scientist, experimenting with electricity and establishing himself as a leading figure in the field. Franklin's creative genius and inventiveness led to numerous significant discoveries that improved the lives of people in his time and solidified his legacy as one of the world's foremost inventors and scientists of the 1700s.
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Frequently asked questions
Benjamin Franklin was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he offered advice and influenced several key aspects of the new constitution. Franklin was also a signatory to the US Constitution.
Franklin wanted the power of the national executive branch to be shared by a small council with frequent changes in members. He did not want the country's executive authority to be entrusted to just one man.
Benjamin Franklin was responsible for hammering out the landmark "Great Compromise", which granted representation on the basis of population in the House of Representation and equal representation in the Senate.
Benjamin Franklin believed that slavery was "an atrocious debasement of human nature" and "a source of serious evils". He was a proponent of freeing American slaves and helped write a new constitution for the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.
Benjamin Franklin acted as the American Minister to France during the Revolutionary War, successfully gaining French support for the new American nation.
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