In this activity, students will analyze Benjamin Franklin’s body of work to better understand his contribution in the key areas of academics, innovation, and diplomacy during the Revolutionary War Era. Students will choose and research one of Franklin’s primary areas of work alongside similar or related works by others that preceded, coincided with, or may have influenced Franklin’s achievements. Students will examine the historical, political, and social circumstances that shaped Franklin’s work and made it possible for him to flourish. Students will investigate how Franklin’s achievements have been built upon by other inventors, politicians, diplomats, and writers since Franklin’s lifetime.

In the course of their research and group discussion work, students will analyze who had the privilege to benefit from Franklin’s discoveries and accomplishments during his day and who did not. Students will present their findings and analyses in a multimedia project of their choosing.

Comprehension and discussion questions for guided clip viewing and concept maps for research notes are included in the lesson materials.