Benjamin Franklin's Return and the Onset of War

In March 1775, Benjamin Franklin returned to an America that was dramatically changed, as the country was now at war following the death of his wife. Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Franklin was quickly involved in the political landscape, being nominated to attend the Second Continental Congress where key decisions regarding American independence were being made. The tension escalated when British troops clashed with American Minutemen, resulting in fatalities that would be pivotal in rallying support for the revolutionary cause. Franklin's deep involvement reflected not only his personal loss but also the urgent need to adapt to the war-time reality of the burgeoning nation.