How Did Benjamin Franklin Change the World?
Benjamin Franklin changed the world by helping write the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, negotiating the end of the Revolutionary War with the Treaty of Paris and becoming the first ambassador of the United States to France. He also had notable achievements as a publisher, author, scientist and inventor.
Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and the first postmaster general of the United States. After serving as part of the five-man committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, Congress sent him to France to persuade the French to enter the Revolutionary War on the side of the Americans. The French alliance with the United States was crucial to America’s victory. In 1787, at 81 years old, he was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention.
As a publisher and writer, Franklin bought, wrote and printed the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper. He also produced the “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” which contained phrases that are still part of American vernacular. As a scientist, he conducted a famous experiment that proved that lightning is electricity. He created America’s first volunteer fire department and lending library. He also invented the Franklin stove, the lightning rod, swim fins and bifocal eyeglasses.
