The Articles of Confederation

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1781

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Persuasion

Franklin tries to demonstrate for his colleagues in the Continental Congress that a unified system of governance is the correct move for the nascent nation. He uses logical appeals and logistical reason to show in the Articles of Confederation that this is the best course of action. Franklin is a supporter of independence from Britain but knows that many of his fellow delegates are not in favor. As a result, this document makes only a few explicit references to the current relationship between Britain and its American colonies. One of these is the invocation of the “unjust War” that has broken out (Conclusion, 263). He also references other issues and actions that the Continental Congress has taken up. While he knows it is unlikely that his document will be adopted, he is nevertheless trying to persuade his contemporaries to at least be mindful of the possibility he is offering, hence his devotion to presenting this information in the most reasonable and logistically sound way possible.

Allusion

In the concluding paragraph of this document, Franklin outlines the potential point at which the confederation of states would be disbanded:

[When] the Terms of Reconciliation proposed in the Petition of the last Congress to the King are agreed to; till the Acts since made restraining the American Commerce and Fisheries are repealed; till Reparation is made for the Injury done to Boston by shutting up its Port for the Burning of Charlestown; and for the Expense of this unjust War; and till all the British Troops are withdrawn from America (Conclusion, 263).

Here, he references not only the decisions made by the First Continental Congress in regard to England, but he also adds the injustices executed by Britain that he and some of his contemporaries see as reasons for independence. In referring to the “Acts,” he is referencing the laws passed by British Parliament that were intended to increase regulations that would punish rebellious colonists, such as the Intolerable Acts, which stripped Massachusetts of its ability to govern itself.

These historical allusions support Franklin’s persuasion to declare independence and to form a unified government under Articles of Confederation. They are a reminder of the injustices committed by the British against the colonists that have directly impacted their ways of life in the British colonies and add to the reasons that the nation should be independent.

Syntax

Franklin’s structure is key to his persuasive technique. The Articles open by declaring the colonies the “United Colonies of North America” (Article I, 260). Then, he moves to discuss what this union means and what rights remain held by the states before discussing Congress, practices for engaging with other sovereign entities, and amendments. Finally, he closes with a paragraph regarding the length of the term for which this document would be in effect. His allusions spur his colleagues to outrage in listing the many grievances the nascent country has against Britain.

However, he concludes by saying that if their conditions are met, “the Colonies are to return to their former Connection and Friendship with Britain: But on the Failure thereof this Confederation is to be perpetual” (Conclusion, 263). This portion offers a way out for those who are not sure if they want to cut off all potential for reconciliation with Britain. It also structurally brings the document back to a peaceful ending after enumerating the violence against the colonists by noting that “Connection and Friendship” are not lost, though either way the colonies would be engaged in a relationship—it is just a question of whether that will be with Britain or with each other.

This syntax ultimately proves that a new system of government like this could balance many of the concerns held by other members of the Continental Congress. By its end, Franklin hopes that they too have arrived at the same conclusion that he has: that this is the best course of action. In reality, they did not at that time, but eventually, they agreed, and the Constitution included a unified structure not unlike what Franklin outlined.