Treaty of Alliance (1778)
Work in History
Treaty of Alliance (1778) has come up in 1 episode across 1 podcast in TMT, including The Rest Is History. 2 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Tom HollandEnglish actor cast as Telemachus
Holland contrasts Franklin's successful diplomacy with John Adams, whom he says mishandled French aristocratic society.
“Adams, who is very puritanical, really objects to this whole hanging out with aristocrats kind of malarkey and totally balls this up”
The Rest Is History: 684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2) (Jul 1, 2026) · Listen from 1:10:22
Holland rejects Edmund Burke's charge of cowardice, arguing that Franklin's winter crossing to France at 70 showed great bravery.
“this is not the action of a coward. Franklin is an incredibly brave and resolute man”
The Rest Is History: 684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2) (Jul 1, 2026) · Listen from 54:50
Dominic SandbrookBritish historian, author and co-host of The Rest Is History
Sandbrook notes the irony that by securing the French alliance Franklin helped doom the French monarchy.
“He has also signed the death warrant of the Anselm regime and the French monarchy in Louis XVI and Marion Toinette”
The Rest Is History: 684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2) (Jul 1, 2026) · Listen from 1:03:00
Podcasts
- The Rest Is History · 1 episode
Episodes
684. Franklin: Revenge of the American Genius (Part 2)The Rest Is History · Jul 1, 2026 · 1 h 13 min
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook trace Benjamin Franklin's life from Puritan Boston boyhood and Enlightenment fame to revolutionary diplomat, Constitution signatory and late abolitionist.