The American identity has evolved over time. During the 1700’s, the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, occurred. It spread rapidly across Europe, and then to North America. This revolutionary way of thinking was crucial to the development of the American identity. The Enlightenment was the period for cultivation of science and human reason. Scientific discoveries were made and contributed to the growth of the people in Europe and America. The Enlightenment was a growth period in Europe and America, as people were told to rely on their own intellect instead of always looking to God for answers. Unfortunately, because of their existing class structure, religious positions, and authoritative rule, these new ideas in Europe could only be debated. …show more content…
Benjamin Franklin was a very important man in the Enlightenment period due to his vast knowledge of science and politics. The American Enlightenment provided the structure for the colonists of America to evolve into a unique American character by 1763 through the circulation of reading materials, the scientific discoveries that lead to unique inventions, the development of a different government, and the tolerance for many religions. This evolution can be assessed by the life of Benjamin Franklin, a key proponent of the Enlightenment. The 18th century was when Britain and its colonies grew closer because of the circulation in letters, newspapers, and books. Franklin’s work in providing a public forum through his newspaper, discussion groups, library system, and almanac established the foundations for evolution of this American character. The British Parliament let the Licensing Act lapse, and the result was a print revolution. All over Britain and Europe print was essential to transmission of new ideas. This information soon reached the Atlantic, and the colonies began printing their own newspapers. Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and
When Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts, it was not expected that he would be one of the most eminent individuals during the American Revolution era, nevertheless he had earned the historic reputation of an inspirational leader. Without Franklin traveling to Paris persuading the French King to help during the American Revolution, the French-American Alliance would not have been created. Benjamin Franklin became “famous” in France and his popularity contributed to the successful completion of the French and American Alliance. As well as securing the official French-American alliance, Franklin helped with the repealing of the Stamp Act by testifying against it in the English court. Although he originally thought that the colonists
Benjamin Franklin is most well-known for his episode with a lightning bolt, although in reality, he should be known for his aid in the forming of America’s foundation. At the age of fifteen he, along with his brothers, started The New England Courant, a newspaper in the Boston area. With their success rapidly growing, Benjamin decided he was no longer needed and sought to create his own printing press. An additional press was not needed in Boston, so Franklin took his few belongings and traveled up the river to Philadelphia. Here he made acquaintances with influential men, purchased the Pennsylvania Gazette, was elected into the Second Continental Congress, accepted the job of Postmaster General, and became the first U.S Ambassador to France.
Benjamin Franklin and the Colonies “He was the nation itself, declared the Atlantic Monthly in 1889, ‘the personification of an optimistic shrewdness, a large, healthy nature, as of a young people gathering its strength and feeling its broadening power,’” (Wood 3). Franklin is one of the most famous men in America’s history; he was a living representation of America, and was the type of person that many people aspired to become. Although they did not occur simultaneously, Franklin’s life is comparable to the events that transpired in the American colonies, and he had a huge influence on the character of modern Americans.
Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 and during his childhood and teenage years he studied English literature and perfected his writing and poetry skills. Ben Franklin was always an advocate of free speech. As a result, Ben Franklin founded the Pennsylvania Gazette. A colonial paper that became popular among the colonies. He could publish controversial letters that made people during those times start serious conversations around towns .
Benjamin Franklin was the voice of his generation from his early life to its end he had always given solid advice , and information to those that welcomed it. No matter the person be it colonists, Englishmen, or the French nobles. Benjamin Franklin was one of the world’s most well-known person since he had accomplished many achievements from politics, inventions, to opinions on various topics. In politics, Franklin was a well renowned problem solver as stated in (American history , (47) ).
The Enlightenment era ideas affected Americans not only in the religious aspect but also through education, politics, art, sciences, and industry. It was a period that roughly lasted from the 17th to the 19th century and is best known as an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, humanism, science, and skepticism. It is also known as “Age of Reason” due to so many scientific and intellectual discoveries and a new way to think that dwindled its way from Europe into the American society. A mark in history where people of the world grew independence from the church and started to challenge traditional religious ways and think with literalness. It was a revolution in science that made the people of the world question and test what was real
The enlightenment period, also called the age of reason, was a period between the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe that affected government and equality immensely. Religious, political, social, and economic equality became possible because of the ideas presented by these philosophers. Although the philosophers had variants with their ideas, they all pointed to equality. Documents A, B, C, and D, are perfect examples of how these philosophers had different views on equality. Total equality became possible because the philosophers argued and supported their points.
Benjamin Franklin is known to be an “Archetypal American,” because of his beliefs on religion, self-improvement, hard work, and determination; but also his somewhat prideful spirit. Much of modern America is quite similar to Franklin in his actions throughout his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s father, Josiah, had a set plan for what he was supposed to do with his life, as a minister. Soon into his education, he found an interest in reading and writing, so he began pursuing a career in printing.
Benjamin Franklin was a politician, inventor, and one of the founders of United States of America who helped write the Declaration of Independence. He investigated electricity and invented the Franklin stove, lighting rod and bifocals. Universities, libraries, the post office, and fire department was also was found by Benjamin Franklin. He also helped shaping the foreign policy as a politician. He published lots of newspaper and books in his life.
The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the American Revolution and the formation of the American Government. Firstly, The Enlightenment was a philosophical evolution that emphasized the aged ideas of the Greeks and Romans. In addition, the major philosophers of this time period were Voltaire, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Rousseau, Adam Smith and Isaac Newton. Their ideals include having an absolute monarch as a government (T.H), the separation of powers (Mont.), the government should not interfere with a free market economy (A.S), the freedom of speech (Volt.), the government could be overruled (J.L), and the government should rule according to the will of the people. Nevertheless, these ideals are important because they shaped the government that we have today.
He thus became world famous.” Quote from source 3: "Benjamin went to work for a man named Keimer, who was not a very good printer. Franklin quickly put his shop in order. His work attracted the attention of Pennsylvania 's governor, Sir William Keith, who offered to set up the 18-year-old Franklin in business.”
Born in 1706 as the eighth of 17 children to a Massachusetts soap and candlestick maker, the chances Benjamin Franklin would go on to become a gentleman, scholar, scientist, statesman, musician, author, publisher and all-around general genius were astronomically low, yet he did just that. Franklin wrote in the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual revolution in the 18th century. The ideals of the enlightenment are still thought of today, as they are a part of the United States’ Declaration of Independence and Constitution. When one remembers Benjamin Franklin very few people are aware of the fact that he worked as a printer until the age of 42. As a printer he had access to substantial amounts of literature.
The importance of Ben Franklin has been told all throughout history, along with the famous $100 bill with his face on it. Drafting the Declaration of Independence, foudning universities and libraries, the post office, shaping policies in the U.S., publishing newspapers, making advances in science, and letting us use bifocals and using lighting for electricity. Even if this man never finished school, he did much reading and experiments that help us out today. The reason why I chose to write about Benjamin Franklin was because he was a very important Founding Father and it’s important for people to learn all about
At the start of the 18th century, the beginning of the Enlightenment was upon America. There were many factors and people who help play a part in the Enlightenment or, in other words, the Age of Reason, some of the people that assisted the enlightenment was Thomas Jefferson, John Locke, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adam. Each of the philosophers demonstrates the fundamental idea of the Enlightenment like liberalism, rationalism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Even though each person played an important part, the most influences person that was involved was Benjamin Franklin. Throughout Benjamin Franklin`s life, he demonstrates through his action and writing that he was the epitome of the Enlightenment by showing that he was
Paragraph two- Inventions [Not Finished] The later in his life Benjamin was the more he tried to fix fundamental flaws in society. This would also be his most influential time helping American succeed in a revolution. Through out the 1730’s and 1740’s Benjamin Franklin saw that people were not able to afford the scarce books delivered form England.