Benjamin Franklin

Franklin: The Essential Founding Father

The most distinctive trait and important characteristic of Benjamin Franklin is his ability to adapt and excel in the things he do. Franklin was a printer, a military strategist, a diplomat, and many more. It was his ability to adapt that allowed him to accomplish his goals.

During Franklin's early years, he worked under his half brother as a printer's apprentice. Even though the art of printing is really intense and requires much endurance, Franklin was able to become proficient at it. After having disputes with his half brother and was prevented from finding a new printing apprenticeship, Benjamin left Boston and started on his own in Philadelphia. There, Franklin started his own printing shop and newspaper, Pennsylvania Gazette, and prospered from it.

When the French and the Indians tried to invade America's territories, Franklin assisted in many ways to help the Americans fight back. Even though the Americans at that time were just mere farmers and settlers, Franklin was able to secure for the militia war funds and supplies. Also he even paid out of his own pockets and fought alongside with the soldiers against the Indians. When a key point at a frontier was breached, Franklin along with his comrades set out and constructed an impressive fort and built more to secure the territory. Even though Franklin had no military experiences, he became the province's foremost strategist.

Another obstacle that Franklin encountered was the issue concerning America's defense and the unity of the colonies. Franklin wanted to prove to England that America is very important to them. Even though Franklin was challenged and was unable to appeal to King George III on how uniting the colonies and freeing them from the grasp of proprietors would help with Britain's economy, he still believed that the king would repeal his decision. Even after the king approved unfair levies on the colonies, Franklin still insisted that everything can be resolved if King George III was willing to reconcile with the colonies and compensate for what has been done. When the Americans can't endure any more of the harsh levies and "taxation without representation," the thought of rebellion arise, but Franklin still held on to the thought of a peaceful reconciliation. He went to London one last time hoping that he will be able to convince Lord North, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, to convince