Formalized in the 1778 treaty of alliance, it was a military pact in which the french provided many supplies for the americans. Why was benjamin franklin important to the american. American revolution, french alliance, siege of yorktown. By 1774, with dissatisfaction with british rule in america growing, franklin, postmaster of the colonies and agent for the colony of massachusetts, was in england, using his. Franklin found that the american stock had lately plunged to its lowest point. French alliance, french assistance, and european diplomacy during the american revolution, 17781782. Benjamin franklin was sent to france by the colonists in order to get the treaty of alliance. Of all the representatives sent abroad by the congress of the thirteen states in the early part of the revolutionary war to secure aid of various kinds from certain friendly nations, no one has equaled benjamin franklin in ability, tact, common sense, diplomacy, and reputation that was national as well as world wide. The eightyear french mission stands not only as franklin s most vital service to his country but as the most revealing of the man.
Sep 23, 2019 britain quit the american revolutionary war rather than fight another global war with france. May 29, 2016 ben franklin and john adams worked together on achieving the alliance with france. The continental congress appointed him as major general in 1777, before france had officially entered into an alliance with the united states. The treaty of alliance with france or franco american treaty was a defensive alliance between france and the united states of america, formed in the midst of the american revolutionary war, which promised mutual military support in case fighting should break out between french and british forces, as the result of signing the previously. The exhibit traces the american naval effort in its three components. How john adams almost undermined the french alliance. Benjamin franklin was one of the american commissioners in france who negotiated the treaty of paris with great britain ending the american revolutionary war and securing the united states. French, american alliance hastened end of revolutionary war. How did benjamin franklin influence the french revolution. Jul 07, 2015 how john adams almost undermined the french alliance. As a nation france was determined to avenge its humiliating. When war began and the declaration of independence was signed it was important to create good relationships with european powers. Ben franklin spoke french and was exceedingly popular in paris society. Ambassador to france benjamin franklin historical society.
In the french and english wars, he took the side of the british and tried to encourage peace with the french and the native american indians, who were fighting together. Second continental congress after the english authorities accused benjamin franklin of treason. Ben franklins world is a production of the omohundro institute of early american history and culture. This was the case at the fall 1776 arrival of the continental congresss official diplomatic mission to europe led by benjamin franklin. Franklin is probably best known for being a brilliant statesman. He also fought for the rights of the native americans. This treaty marked frances entry into the war against england. Benjamin franklin and the american revolution youtube. He was an experienced advocate for the colonies, having represented several in london for ye. The french were still hesitant about openly entering the conflict, partly because preparations for war, especially efforts to strengthen the french fleet, were not yet complete. The treaty of alliance with france was signed on february 6, 1778, creating a military alliance between the united states and france against great britain. Benjamin franklin spent about 10 years living and working in paris, france, where he was well respected for both his intellect and his political standing. Benjamin franklin played an important role in the american revolution. This might seem like a triumph for france, but in truth, it was a disaster.
American revolution, benjamin franklin as the hero of the. Franklin played the part of the rustic sage, as he shrewdly calculated the sophisticated courtiers would want to see. But was the victory that prompted the french to join the american war effort, truly the turning point of the war for independence. He was also americas first diplomat and global thought leader. American and british spies during the american revolution used a number of methods for. On october 26, 1776, exactly one month to the day after being named an agent of a diplomatic commission by the continental congress, benjamin franklin sets sail from philadelphia for france, with. This cat and mouse game was only part of the new turn in french policy. Franklin presented his credentials to the french court in 1779, becoming the first american minister the eighteenth century american.
In 1776, the continental congress sent diplomat benjamin franklin, along with silas deane and arthur lee, to france to secure a formal alliance. Benjamin franklin was one of the original members of this committee, which was the forerunner of the cia. Revolutionary america archives ben franklins world. In this idealized version of franklin s appearance at the court in versailles on march 20, 1778, king louis xvi avowed the treaty of alliance between france and the united states by formally receiving the american commissioners. Before the treaty of alliance was signed franklin arranged for the translation and publication of the constitutions of the thirteen states and founding documents. National book awardwinner nathaniel philbrick joins us to explore the two events he sees as better turning points in the. By virtue of fame, charisma, and ingenuity, franklin outmaneuvered british spies, french informers, and hostile colleagues. Benjamin franklin american revolutionary war facts. Benjamin franklin was received by louis xvi in 1778 and won the military support of france. Washingtons defeat on long island and his retirement through the jerseys made the bourbon courts doubt if the war could succeed. Instead, franklin stayed in france until 1785 in a critical role as one of americas first significant diplomats. The impact of american revolution and benjamin franklin on.
Sep 02, 2016 cloris leachman with valerie harper and ed asner at the 2017 sedona international film festival duration. During the american revolution, franklin was a key delegate to the continental congress and was one of the five members to draft the declaration of independence. The french opened franklin with open arms, and he became a pop culture icon. Benjamin franklin and the french alliance american heritage. The franco american alliance was the 1778 alliance between the kingdom of france and the united states during the american revolutionary war. What did benjamin franklin contribute to the american revolution. In this lesson, learn how franklin served as a diplomat during the war, and how he worked with world leaders to get support. Benjamin franklin and the american revolution benjamin franklin s later years one of the leading figures of early american history, benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author. He was a statesman, an author, a publisher, a scientist, an inventor and a diplomat throughout the course of his long life. In great part this is the legacy of the portraitists. On october 26, 1776, exactly one month to the day after being named an agent of a diplomatic commission by the continental congress, benjamin franklin. Victory was gained for america through a combination of american determination, french assistance, and.
During the american revolution, the american colonies faced the significant challenge of conducting international diplomacy and seeking the international support it needed to fight against the british. Well, there are many answers, but here is an important one. In france, the accomplished franklin was feted throughout scientific and. Benjamin franklin s popularity in france bolstered french support for the american cause. Benjamin franklin 17061790 was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat, a founding father and a leading figure of early american history. The words franklin in france are pretty much guaranteed to elicit a smile, a raised eyebrow, a mischievous wink, and at least one of the following words. France allied with american colonies americas library. In fact, franklin was so popular in france that even today some french citizens think he was an american president.
Though facing insurmountable odds, the underdog naval forces of the young united states proved their savvy by helping to defeat great britain in the war for independence. The french alliance and the winning of american independence. He wore a coonskin cap to play up the french belief that americans were wild frontiersmen. Dec 17, 2015 if the british had intercepted franklin on his voyage to france, the american could have been executed as a traitor. Did benjamin franklin achieve a us alliance with france or. Sep 12, 2017 each episode features a conversation with a historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early american history. Without his cajoling of the french government for financial and military support, it is quite possible the american revolution would have. Chapter 4 french foreign policy during the reign of louis xv. In franklin s eyes, that image or ideal was good for both america and france. Franklin seduced france with coonskin cap diplomacy.
Benjamin franklin, american founding father and first ambassador to france. A diplomatic history of the american revolution on jstor. The official attitude of the french government toward the american revolution in 1776 and 1777 was essentially a recognition of belligerency. Benjamin franklins celebritylike status in france helped win french support for the united states during the american revolutionary war. He was a man of science, letters and virtue, becoming an abolitionist later in life. On this day in 1776, benjamin franklin, at age 70, sailed from philadelphia for paris with the goal of negotiating a formal alliance between france and the rebellious british colonies across the. Mar 09, 2016 franklin was one of the leading intellectual leaders of the revolution, particularly in its early stages. Yes, he was born in america, and certainly some of his identity was that of an american, but his america was part of the british empire. The revolutionary diplomatic correspondence of the united states. The treaty allowed france to recognized the united states as an independent country and offer its support in the war for its freedom. Benjamin franklin published this woodcut in the pennsylvania gazette, which represents america as a snake severed into various provinces. This introduction to the diplomacy of the american revolution presents a fresh, realistic. Franklin had negotiated an alliance with france more than two months before adams arrival in paris. Franklins arrival was a signal that france would sign a treaty of alliance with the upstart american republic.
His popularity and diplomatic skillalong with the first american battlefield success at saratogaconvinced france to recognize american independence and conclude an alliance with the thirteen states in 1778. The treaty of alliance with france was signed on february 6, 1778, creating a military. Benjamin franklin could be considered an important influence for the french revolution, in particuarly his impact on the enlightenment era. The financial pressures france faced at the time were only made worse by the cost of aiding the americans. Negotiated by the american diplomats benjamin franklin, silas deane, and arthur lee, the treaty of alliance required that neither france nor the united states agree to a separate peace with great britain, and that american independence be a. Until the conclusion of the 1778 francoamerican alliance, the impact of the. France allied with american colonies february 6, 1778 friends, and in french, amis. Franklin helped to influence the outcome of the war by gaining a significant french alliance. In december 1776 three american agents in paris, led by benjamin franklin, proposed a formal alliance between the united states and france. However, once news of general george washington s defeats in new york reached europe in august of 1776, vergennes wavered, questioning the wisdom of committing to a full alliance. Benjamin franklin was the first american ambassador received by a foreign government. Versailles and the united states of america, 17781783 palace of. The american revolution in the age of revolutions the american revolution took place within a larger period known today as the age of revolutions.
Benjamin franklin was not just the the first american. Sep 27, 2012 watch in 360 the inside of a nuclear reactor from the size of an atom with virtual reality duration. This episode investigates what we mean by the american revolution. Benjamin franklin biography famous inventors us history. Franklins international fame grew during the american revolution as a diplomat in france. In passy and paris he frequented the rich and the politically connected who bankrolled the revolution. Prior to the outbreak of the french and indian war, franklin hoped to persuade the american colonies to unite their governments to protect themselves from the french and their native american allies under a plan later known as the albany plan, which was. Benjamin franklin was one of the american commissioners in france who negotiated the treaty of paris with great britain ending the american revolutionary war and securing the united states ownership of a vast territory between the atlantic coast and the mississippi river. Franklin was one the most accomplished american minds, not only of the 18th century, but possibly of all time. The alliance was formally negotiated by benjamin franklin, but it progressed slowly until after news of the american. The francoamerican alliance was the 1778 alliance between the kingdom of france and the united states during the american revolutionary war. Ultimately, the political ideals that franklin and the american revolution represented, along with french financial support for the war that would bankrupt france, helped pave the way for the. Jan 09, 2018 benjamin franklin thought of himself as british. The role of france in the american revolutionary war.
This alliance was one of franklin s most important achievements which led to french military aid, fundamental in the fight against britain. On february 6, 1778, benjamin franklin was in france signing the treaty of amity and commerce and the treaty of alliance. Jun 08, 2015 american commissioners benjamin franklin, silas deane, and arthur lee, negotiated the treaty of alliance with france, which was signed feb. He was a major influence through his writings and his political activities in uniting the separate colonies so that they were all represente. The american revolution benjamin franklin historical society. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of. There was seemingly nothing franklin couldnt do or wasnt interested in. In 1778, ben franklin and two other american s became american diplomats in france. France had been secretly aiding the american colonies since 1776, because france was angry at britain over the loss of colonial territory in the french and indian war. The french alliance and the winning of american independence by edward ayres, jamestownyorktown foundation historian the ink was barely dry on the treaty of paris in 1763 before the french foreign ministry began planning and preparing for the next war with great britain. What role did ben franklin play in the american revolution.
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