Which American statesman served as the prime minister to France during the Revolutionary War and encouraged French involvement?

The correct answer is Benjamin Franklin. During the American Revolutionary War, Franklin served as the American ambassador to France and played a vital role in securing French support for the American colonies. His diplomatic skills and charm helped win over the French government, ultimately leading to a formal alliance between France and the United States. This alliance was crucial in providing military aid, resources, and support that contributed significantly to the American victory over Britain.

Franklin's time in France not only enhanced the military capabilities of the colonists but also helped to foster a sense of shared ideals of liberty and democracy that resonated with both the American and French people. His efforts in France were instrumental in bringing about the Treaty of Alliance in 1778, which formalized the relationship between the two nations.

Other prominent figures like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were also influential in various capacities during the war, but it was Franklin who was specifically tasked with securing French involvement at that critical juncture. George Washington, while a key leader during the war, did not serve as a diplomat to France. Therefore, Benjamin Franklin is the figure who best fits the description of serving as the prime minister to France and encouraging their involvement in the Revolutionary War.