Ben Franklin Influences Constitutional Convention

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

Ben Franklin returned to America in September 1785 having been away for eight years. The nation to which he returned was struggling under the Articles of Confederation, and consequently, a convention was called to address these issues. Pennsylvania named Franklin as one of their delegates. Despite being 81 years old and in poor health, Franklin willing gave his services to America.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses how Ben Franklin’s presence gave weight to the convention and helped influence critical decisions facing the delegates, and why it still matters today.

Images courtesy of Digital Commonwealth, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, National Portrait Gallery – Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, Wikipedia.

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