
Franklin and Adams: Rivals on the Same Diplomatic Mission
Clip: Episode 2 | 4m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
Franklin and Adams frustrated each other in France with opposing approaches to diplomacy.
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams served the United States together as diplomats to France during the American Revolution, but they frustrated each other with their conflicting approaches to the job. Adams was impatient and did not recognize that Franklin’s popularity was an important asset in securing vital French support for the war effort.
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was...

Franklin and Adams: Rivals on the Same Diplomatic Mission
Clip: Episode 2 | 4m 3sVideo has Closed Captions
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams served the United States together as diplomats to France during the American Revolution, but they frustrated each other with their conflicting approaches to the job. Adams was impatient and did not recognize that Franklin’s popularity was an important asset in securing vital French support for the war effort.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Conversations on Franklin
Join hour-long discussions with Ken Burns and special guests, featuring clips from the two-part series.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipAn American Celebrity in France
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Clip: Ep2 | 4m 37s | Benjamin Franklin arrived in France, hoping to win French support for the Revolution. (4m 37s)
Compromise and the Constitution of the United States
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Clip: Ep2 | 6m 36s | As impasse threatened the Constitutional Convention, Franklin appealed for Compromise. (6m 36s)
The Declaration of Independence
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Clip: Ep2 | 3m 17s | Franklin made a pivotal edit to Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. (3m 17s)
Franklin and the Antislavery Movement
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Clip: Ep2 | 7m 5s | Late in life, Franklin petitioned Congress to end slavery in the United States. (7m 5s)
Franklin Hears About Washington’s Victory at Yorktown
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Clip: Ep2 | 2m 39s | A month after the end of the battle, Franklin finally got the news from Yorktown. (2m 39s)
The Franklins Choose Opposing Sides in the Revolution
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Clip: Ep2 | 2m 26s | The American Revolution tore families apart, including the Franklins. (2m 26s)
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Clip: Ep2 | 4m 20s | The Treaty of Paris ended a war, secured Independence and created an Empire. (4m 20s)
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Episodes presented in 4K UHD on supported devices. Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was...



























