While pondering over this transcription of the records kept during an interview conducted by the House of Commons with Mr. Benjamin Franklin, one may begin to heap acclaim and aspiration upon the magnitude of Franklin’s words. However, it is my intention to provide a sense of realism to these views and others like it. While Mr. Franklin is one of America’s most renowned founding fathers, “Big Ben” had is flaws and personal accolades in mind. It is my belief that Benjamin Franklin did not overlook his standing in a Colonial class society entirely but believed in his duties as a representative from the colonies to the Britain house in a way that was respectful to the popular opinion of the colonies at this time. With the common statement given …show more content…
Which, except for both being white males, didn’t lend itself to much help. However, I found that as I read more and more about Ben Franklin, I began to understand more fully his risks that he undertook in addressing these questions from Britain’s elite and answering them honestly. With a then net worth estimated to equal over “43 million dollars” in today’s standards, Mr. Franklin was not by any means poor, both in wealth as well as of intelligence. He had worked his way through newspaper businesses and developed astrological maps. There is no doubt that the Stamp Act indeed effected Benjamin Franklin, a man who used paper products in both business and personal measures, on a daily …show more content…
Franklin knew, however, that other taxes placed upon the colonists, like the Sugar Act, affected nearly every coastal and farming community. He felt their annoyance with the reasoning which was given to them and knew that this interview and any other correspondence with the British government could lend an inside look at both sides. The important question here to ask would be a hypothetical one. If popular opinion was still positive and the interview proceeded, would Benjamin Franklin, still have expressed the same answers in effect lying to satisfy his own class? Or would he have answered truthfully and let them know that the colonists were still happy with Parliament? My answer would be affirmative to the latter. Because what sets him apart from some current politicians, is that Benjamin Franklin respected the dependence that colonists rested on him. He wouldn’t belittle that to satisfy his own desires. The evidence that I would use to confirm this would be, from the very document that I am reviewing for this paper. It was asked of him, “What was the temper of America towards Great Britain year 1763?”, his response, with sincerity, “the best in the world”. His response dictates that he is not only mindful of the opinions of the colonists but that he knows that every response after this one will be taken more personally by the House due to their stance in British
In closing, Kemp--and I must agree with her-- adamantly stressed that Franklin sent the Hutchinson/Oliver letters, though it was a lack of judgment, in order to calm the storm. Which was a mistake, at least in my view. As Kemp states,”If anything, Franklin’s fundamental error was the direct result of his emotional attachment to the Empire and of his naive assumption that men more sympathetic to the colonies might yet rise to positions of power in England.” (Kemp, 94). In her next two chapters Kemp largely focused on the internal insecurities of the British Government, and the ramifications of the Cockpit incident.
According to Benjamin Franklin, colonists pay taxes for all kinds of things. This included property, polls, offices, professions, trades, businesses, alcoholic beverages, slavery, and more. The interviewer seemed to believe that the colonists’ tax burden was moderate and justified. He implied the former when he asked if the colonists could not afford to pay the taxes, and he stressed the latter when he asked if colonists deserved protection from Great Britain without payment.
Gordon S. Wood delves into Benjamin Franklin’s philosophical, political, and personal legacies in the biography, The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. The book travels through Franklin’s experiments, his travels in Europe, and his role in the American revolution. The book begins when Franklin retires from business and becomes a gentleman. It was when he became a gentleman, it allowed him to analyze the world around him. “Indeed, he could not drink a cup of tea without wondering why the tea leaves at the bottom gathered in way rather than another,” a quote from Edmund S. Morgan’s book, Benjamin Franklin. Franklin spent a great deal of time in Britain before returning to America. When he returned, he threw himself into the American revolution, which sent him to France. After he accomplished his duties in France, he returned back home to America where he ran for public office.
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers to the United States, was not a patriot but a mere loyalist to England before the dissolution between England and the colonies occurred. Sheila L. Skemp's The Making of a Patriot explores how Benjamin Franklin tried to stay loyal to the crown while taking interest in the colonies perception and their own representation in Parliament. While Ms. Skemp alludes to Franklin's loyalty, her main illustration is how the attack by Alexander Wedderburn during the Privy Council led to Franklin's disillusionment with the British crown and the greater interest in making the Thirteen Colonies their own nation. Her analysis of Franklin's history in Parliament and what occurred on the night that the council convened proves the change behind Franklin's beliefs and what lead to his involvement in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.
... towards the colonies that are individually recognized. The failure to independently recognize each of the thirteen colonies in their own respect hinders his degree of persuasion towards his audience. Although there were snags in Benjamin Franklin’s political cartoon, it nevertheless accomplished its goal of persuading the colonists to band together as a harmonized force against the British for freedom.
Franklin’s accomplishments arose from the influence of family, friends, education, and personal experience with being African American. He had a difficult task as an historian as he was writing about the neglected history of his minority group while being an advocate for the rights of this group. This could be perceived as a conflict of interest, but he thought of it as being beneficial. His method of writing was not to promote African Americans, but to interpret their involvement in the framework of American history. This was not something that had been done extensively and thoroughly before. Franklin set the stage and helped to create a widely accepted field of history.
In summary, I believe colonial society had changed greatly from Winthrop's days to Franklin's. This is beneficial because we see how society is able to stray from the path of religion and venture onto other ideas that would have otherwise been discouraged. Benjamin Franklin was able to detach himself from traditional religion to expand his ability to experiment with science where as John Winthrop remained narrow minded because of his dedication to his religious beliefs.
Benjamin Franklin was a major participant in the colonies strive for independence. He had a house in London and was very influential in England. However, his love of liberty and his wish to help the well being of Pennsylvania pushed him toward independence for the colonies. Also, since he was well respected in England, a large and difficult question was why does Parliament have power over the American colonies? At first Benjamin Franklin wanted the colonies to be and independent free nation under the strong protection of England.. Benjamin Franklin had problems with separation from england because hee thought they had one of the best and freest governments in the world. Thedn Benjamin Franklin proposed self-government for the American colonies. Benjamin Franklin was always for an independent and self-governing country when he was in the colonies though. And had nearly forty years of service as a public official began when Franklin was elected for the Pennsylvania Assembly. At first, he wanted to get support for various local causes but soon polotics on a larger swcale held his undivided attention.
Benjamin Franklin, through hard work and perseverance, transformed himself into a philosopher, diplomat, inventor, writer, and scientist. (SOURCE) Franklin’s contributions and ideas significantly encouraged major progress in the development our country and improvements that continue to affect society. He showed that with a strong desire and honest and hard work anything is possible. Unlike most politicians, he was a common person. He is also a hero in that he symbolizes hope and possibilities for many Americans. However, Franklin was not a perfect human being, and for that reason, some believe that his face should not grace the $100 bill. His legacy is undeniably a major part in our history and as one of the key “founding fathers” to our society; the fact reminds Benjamin Franklin is distinct figure in our history. I will present my argument in favor of keeping Franklin on the bill.
Benjamin Franklin is one of the most profound individuals in American history. He is a Diplomat, Writer, Inventor, a founding father, and holds the title as the “First American.” In 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is the fifteenth of seventeen children that his father, Josiah Franklin, had. At the age of 8 years old Franklin attended school, here he learned literacy. In spite of his successes in school, he had to drop out at the young age of 10 to assist his father with his business. Franklin did not enjoy working for his father’s business, however he had to work at his father’s shop for about 2 years. Josiah then had Benjamin apprenticed to his little brother, James, who was a printer. James is the founder
In The Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin recounts the many paramount experiences throughout his life that shaped him into great American figure he was known to be. On the opening page, Franklin reveals the book’s epistolary format by writing, “Dear Son,” going on to admit that he’s made some mistakes in the past and to recollect that past is a way to relive it. By divulging his desire to “change some sinister Accidents & Events” (Franklin 3) the author indicates how important it is for his son to observe as he amends his mistakes. Pride, virtue and vanity play a pivotal role in Benjamin Franklin’s life and the way he portrays himself to others. Instances occur where the author is shown gloating about his great accomplishments and he puts emphasis on his need to live a virtuous and morally perfect life. Throughout his story, Benjamin Franklin tells his son of his many virtuous acts and momentous achievements, motivating the question as to whether he seeks his own approval more so than the approval of his peers.
Benjamin Franklin’s ethics helped convey to the audience that they were not just listening to another representative's opinion in the room. His “diplomatic skills”(43) in this speech helped make the delegates listen and take his view into consideration. Such a reputation can make people ponder and contemplate his words and meanings. Franklin does not approach the debate with unfair reasoning or a lack of knowledge. In fact, he mentions “when you assemble a number of men...you inevitably assemble with those men and all their prejudices...”(43) showing that he is aware of other people’s opinions and thoughts. He uses the other delegates opinions to attempt a compromise.
In conclusion, we can assert that the paths to aristocracy of the two leaders as we have seen were an uphill task. These paths are in one way or another similar with Franklin pioneering and Douglas following after his steps. It is also evident that Douglas through his actions fighting against slavery came to be regarded as a representative man. This owes to the fact that he not only represented slaves in America but in the entire world. The lives of Fredrick Douglas and Benjamin Franklin are indeed worth examining.
A general theme in Franklin's writings is the differences between the private and public self and how the two interact. Parts One and Two of his Autobiography were written at different times and intended for different audiences. In Part One Franklin is speaking to his Son, (who was then the Governor of New Jersey) a public figure. It was started in 1771. Part Two was begun...
Summarizing the statements found, we can presume that Ben Franklin wanted to show the flaws of the Constitution that would most likely never be in a more perfect form. He believed that our opinions drove us apart and at the same time, allowed the Constitution to benefit us. Ben Franklin said we must make our agreement obvious if they planned to take notice of his address. He delivers his opinion firmly by revealing what the Constitution does and can do. Without it, we would be fighting amongst each other and with it, we can work to improve