Did Benjamin Franklin support the new Constitution?
Asked by: Dr. Coty Murray | Last update: April 17, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (9 votes)
Yes, Benjamin Franklin strongly supported the new Constitution, urging its ratification despite its imperfections, believing a strong federal government was essential and doubting a better document could be achieved, famously stating he agreed to it "with all its faults" and asking others to "doubt a little of his own infallibility" to sign. He was instrumental in rallying support, even though he, as the oldest delegate, had James Wilson read his final speech.
What did Benjamin Franklin think of the New Constitution?
Franklin himself admitted that the new Constitution was not perfect, but he asked his colleagues to approach the document with humility.
Did Franklin support the Constitution?
After American independence was finally won, he played a vital role in rallying support for the ratification of the Constitution in 1788. Franklin is one of only six men to have signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
How long did Benjamin Franklin think the new Constitution would last?
Benjamin Franklin did not predict an exact duration for how long the Constitution would last, but he viewed it as an important experiment in governance. He was optimistic about its potential to endure if its basic principles were upheld.
Did Benjamin Franklin have anything to do with the Declaration of Independence?
Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1775. There he served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation to form a new union.
Benjamin Franklin was the Greatest Founding Father
Did Ben Franklin edit the Declaration of Independence?
Benjamin Franklin primarily served as the editor of the Declaration of Independence. His changes were believed to have been minimal, but, when the document went before the entire Continental Congress, the draft was more thoroughly changed by the larger body from Jefferson's original text.
Who was the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence?
John Hancock has the biggest signature on the Declaration of Independence as President of the Continental Congress, famously signing first and large enough for King George III to read without spectacles, making "John Hancock" a synonym for signature. His bold signature became iconic, and the phrase "put your John Hancock on it" is still used today.
Did Benjamin Franklin have a high IQ?
Ben Franklin dropped out of school at age 10. His IQ was 160. Beethoven was told he would never succeed at writing music. His IQ was 165.
What was Benjamin Franklin's famous quote?
For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs. Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In “Advice To A Young Tradesman,” Franklin writes that, “Remember that time is money.”
What was Benjamin Franklin's religion?
Benjamin Franklin's faith was a complex blend of his strict Puritan upbringing and Enlightenment-era deism, leading him to embrace a "doctrineless" Christianity focused on morality and public virtue rather than dogma or Jesus' divinity, though he respected Christ as the greatest moral teacher and valued religion for societal good, even proposing prayer at the Constitutional Convention. He believed in a God who created and governed the world, advocating for worship through good deeds, prayer, and thanksgiving, while rejecting institutional churches as corrupt.
Who contributed the most to the US Constitution?
James Madison, also present, wrote the document that formed the model for the Constitution. Other U.S. Founding Fathers were not there, but made significant contributions in other ways. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, was serving as ambassador to France at the time of the Convention.
What were Benjamin Franklin's last words?
Benjamin Franklin's reported last words were, "A dying man can do nothing easy," uttered to his daughter Sarah who suggested he adjust his position in bed for comfort, just moments before he died on April 17, 1790, at age 84. These words reflect his characteristic wit and acceptance of death as a natural process, fitting for a man who often contemplated life and mortality.
Why did Benjamin Franklin not approve of the Constitution?
Franklin did not list his objections, nor did he express them outside the Convention. He believed that a strong central government was needed and doubted that any other convention could produce a better constitution.
Who said we have a democracy if we can keep it?
"A republic, if you can keep it." – Benjamin Franklin On Constitution Day, we remember these timeless words. The challenge remains.
Who first said time is money?
"Time is money" is an aphorism that is claimed to have originated in "Advice to a Young Tradesman", an essay by Benjamin Franklin that appeared in George Fisher's 1748 book, The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion, in which Franklin wrote, "Remember that time is money."
Who was the only US President to have a PhD?
The only U.S. President with a Ph.D. is Woodrow Wilson, who earned his doctorate in History and Government from Johns Hopkins University in 1886, making him the sole president with an earned doctorate degree. Wilson, a scholar and university president before his presidency, remains unique in this academic achievement.
What was Ben Franklin's position on slavery?
At the same time, however, he published numerous Quaker pamphlets against slavery and condemned the practice of slavery in his private correspondence. It was after the ratification of the United States Constitution that he became an outspoken opponent of slavery.
Why is Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill if he wasn't a President?
His technological advancements and his role in shaping democratic principles made him a national icon. Unlike other figures on US currency, the portrait of Benjamin Franklin represents his intellect and diplomacy rather than political authority, making his presence on the 100-dollar bill particularly fitting.
Who has 325 IQ?
Michael Kearney's IQ
Michael Kearney's exceptional intelligence was confirmed when he achieved a reported score of 325 on a Stanford-Binet test at just 6 years old. He completed his college studies at the young age of 10 and by 17, he was already a university lecturer.
Was Ben Franklin a nice person?
Ardent and Dutiful. Charming, naturally sociable, and witty, Franklin drew people to him wherever he lived. He was dutiful and affectionate toward his family, but it was to close friends that he most often expressed his ardent devotion.
What is Elon Musk's IQ score?
There's no official IQ score for Elon Musk, but estimates vary wildly, from around 100-110 (average) by some biographers, claiming no evidence for higher, to others guessing over 130 or even 155 (genius level), often linked to reported high SAT scores or comparison to figures like Einstein, though Musk himself downplays IQ scores, valuing real-world innovation and problem-solving more.
What is the rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence?
The rarest signature on the Declaration of Independence belongs to Button Gwinnett, a signer from Georgia, due to his relative obscurity, short life (killed in a duel shortly after signing), and a fire that destroyed many of his papers, leaving only about 51 known examples of his signature, making it incredibly valuable to collectors. While Thomas Lynch, Jr. is also considered extremely rare, Gwinnett's signature is generally seen as the most elusive and valuable.
Why do they call it a John Hancock?
It's called a "John Hancock" because of John Hancock's large, prominent signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, making his name synonymous with "signature" in American English, especially for that bold, initial signing. He was president of the Continental Congress and signed first and largest so "King George can read it without his spectacles," though that story is likely apocryphal.
Which president wrote most of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress.