15. Topic: Benjamin Franklin. Thesis: It is still popular to refer to George Washington as the “father of our country” and in regard his military contribution during the revolution and his careful use of Constitutional power as the first president this appellation is very appropriate. However, another individual by virtue of his early call for an American union, his advocacy of the colonial position in Britain, his participation in the revolutionary cause as a diplomat, his significant role regarding both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution plus many other achievements, a case may be made that the “grandfather” of the United States was Benjamin Franklin.