The personal lives of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin played a big part in the choices they made during the American Revolution. Here's how:

George Washington

• Plantation Owner: Washington owned a large piece of land, more than 8,000 acres, with 317 enslaved people working for him.
• Military Experience: His time leading troops in the French and Indian War helped him gain important military skills.

Thomas Jefferson

• Author of the Declaration: Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. This document declared the right to freedom based on his beliefs in reason and liberty.
• Enslaver: Even though he wrote about freedom, he owned over 600 enslaved people. This shows a conflict in his beliefs.

Benjamin Franklin

• Diplomatic Missions: Franklin traveled a lot in Europe, which helped him gain support from France. This support was very important for the revolution.
• Civic Involvement: As a printer and an inventor, Franklin explored many ideas. He even proposed the Albany Plan of Union in 1754, which was about the colonies working together.

In summary, the backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs of these three leaders not only drove their actions during the revolution but also influenced how the movement developed.