To What Extent Did Benjamin Franklin Convert To Patriotism
Although a very loyal man, Benjamin Franklin has been considered both a Loyalist and a Patriot, but he is marked very clearly as a founding father, and as thus, should have primarily been a Patriot during and after the war with England. In this paper I wish to address the following questions. To what extent did Benjamin Franklin convert to Patriotism in the Revolutionary war, and what part did he play in achieving American victory? Was his primary success as a diplomat to France, a member of the Continental Congress, or through his subterfuge and spy ring. As a result of Franklin choosing to be a Patriot in the Revolutionary war what did Franklin have to lose, or gain? These questions are essential to understanding what Franklin truly …show more content…
Franklin once wrote “to Lord Kames 'I have lived so great a part of my life in Britain, and formed so many friendships in it, that I love it and sincerely wish it prosperity;”(Jones, 213), and siding with America ment that Benjamin had the potential of never visiting England again, or by losing those friendships. Additionally, Benjamin Franklin lost his position of postmaster(which he did regain in America) and he was disconnected from the Royal Society. More importantly, by joining the Partriots, Franklin lost his only son William …show more content…
He was introduced to law and politics early, and was always with Benjamin Franklin. “Benjamin was not merely his son's greatest benefactor. He was, said London printer William Strahan, ‘his friend, his brother, his intimate, and easy companion.’ As William matured, the relationship between father and son became at one and the same time stronger and more equal.”(Skemp, 36). During the war, however, William Franklin remained loyal to the crown, as his father taught him to be. The rift between the two became so large that “Benjamin Franklin's son William, who was a loyalist, spied on his own father and reported the elder Franklin's activities to the British authorities.”(Spies). Benjamin Franklin felt betrayed by his son’s actions and for not following the same Patriotic path as him. Consequently, “[i]n June, 1789, less than one year before his death, an aging Benjamin Franklin made an addition to his will, effectively disinheriting his only living son.”(Skemp,
Benjamin Franklin: A True American Hero
777 Words | 4 Pagesone of the ways benjamin franklin was patriotic is when it states, “ FRanklin knew that women played an extremely important role in forming public opinion and even in political decisions “( Thomas 7.)this shows how franklin was willing to do anything to support america and get the people to favorite america. something else franklin did to show his patriotism was participating in the treaty of paris. it states “franklin was...culminating in the treaty of paris…” showing franklin only wanted peace for america and was the top developer to make it happen. Some might argue that he only did it for himself cross says “ Benjamin Franklin...looked out for his own interest “ which cannot be proven another reason people question his patriotism is because “Franklin did not fight in the war. “ (wattenberg 3 ) but they are completely overlooking everything else he has done to show his patriotism and benjamin has proven them wrong many times by showing them his love for America in many different ways.
How Did Wood Contribute To Franklin's Retirement?
382 Words | 2 PagesMuch of Franklin's retirement was gentlemanly. Wood demonstrates this when explaining Franklin's electrical experiments, public service, and his politics. "By the early 1760s Franklin had become a thoroughgoing imperialist and royalist," Wood concludes (91). Though Franklin admired the British king greatly and reveled in how great the British Empire was. It was around the late 1750s and 1768 in particular that Franklin began struggling for royal government in Pennsylvania, a proprietary colony, that Wood believes Franklin began identifying himself as an Englishman.
How Would You Characterize Paine Before He Came To America
1640 Words | 7 PagesIn London, on the behalf of hundreds of civil workers Thomas Paine was facing a court appeal where he caught the attention of Benjamin Franklin who was there as an agent of several colonists. After meeting Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin recommended him as an ingenious and worthy young man. He was extremely impressed by Thomas’s extraordinary abilities and his power of thinking. He suggested Thomas, emigration to British colonial America, and gave him a letter of recommendation.
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575 Words | 3 PagesThroughout the letter, Ben Franklin sounds like a patriot of Great Britain by insulting Americans and giving them ideas of what to do to them. Although, as Franklin includes ideas in his letter, he additionally incorporates counterpoints that would make him sound like he is trying to help. For example, Franklin claims that the laws of the conqueror are just; however, it is possible that such laws could be contrary to the laws of mankind, ultimately contradicting what he first claimed. Towards the end of the letter, Ben Franklin includes a paradox by claiming that Britain should massacre the Americans as they can bring in citizens from Britain so there wouldn’t be any rebellious acts. However, he
Benjamin Franklin's Legacy
166 Words | 1 PagesThe couple’s only daughter, Sarah, was born in 1743. The two times Benjamin Franklin moved to London, in 1757 and again in 1764. In 1762, Franklin’s son William took office as New Jersey’s royal governor, a position his father arranged through his political connections in the British government.
Benjamin Franklin Founding Father
514 Words | 3 PagesBenjamin Franklin was one of the largest known founding fathers of the United States. He was born on January 17, 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were Josiah Franklin and Abiah Folger. He was the fifteenth child of Josiah and one of ten by Abiah(Franklin Born). His father wanted him to be a clergy but could not afford to send him to school for that many years.
Benjamin Franklin's Declaration Of Independence
744 Words | 3 PagesIn 1776 Ben Franklin signed the declaration of independence. After wards he sailed to France where everyone loved him. He sailed there as an ambassador to the Court of Louis. He had to work actively for independence. Ben thought that his son William would agree with his thoughts and opinions but he didn’t and it caused a fall out with the father son relationship that they had with one another.
Benjamin Franklin's Influence On American Culture And Identity
412 Words | 2 PagesIsaacson writes, ''Franklin's ideas about self-improvement and social mobility were central to the American Revolution. His emphasis on hard work and thrift, his faith in the potential of ordinary people, and his belief in the importance of civic virtue helped to shape the American identity" (Isaacson 2003). This quote exemplifies that Franklin's ideas were not only important to his personal success, but also to the success of the nation as a unified color. Today, many Americans still value hard work and thrift, and the idea of civic virtue is still a central part of American
Was Benjamin Franklin A Good President
722 Words | 3 PagesHe didn’t go to high school or college his dad needed his help with stuff so he pulled him out of elementary. He was already smart and knew how to read & write. His brother miss treated him. His brother was mean & wanted everything to go his way Ben franklin couldn’t take it any more so he ran away. Benjamin Franklin, contributions were a working life for his brother who was a printer and newspaper publisher in
Benjamin Franklin Impact On Society
1555 Words | 7 PagesBenjamin Franklin helped the thirteen colonies form a country separate from Britain. He assisted in writing the Declaration of Independence (Hornberger and Wood). Franklin also worked to gain “support from King Louis XVI of France and was largely responsible for his signing the important military alliance of 1778” (“Benjamin Franklin”, American Battlefield Trust). As a result of Benjamin Franklin’s use of eloquence and intelligence, the French “provided the money, troops, armament, military leadership and naval support” (Zeller). Benjamin Franklin “was selected to serve as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress” (“Benjamin Franklin,” History).
Benjamin Franklin: Tragic Hero Or An Archetypal American?
631 Words | 3 PagesBenjamin 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.
How Did Som Franklin Influence Thomas Jefferson
1344 Words | 6 PagesHe would become an amazing scientist by creating many inventions like bifocals, the Franklin stove, swimming fins, and the lighting rod (Isaacson). He would experiment with electricity by flying a kite in a lighting storm, which would give him international fame (Isaacson). Franklin was not only a “resourceful scientist” but also a “master negotiator” (Isaacson). With the revolutionary war on the horizon it was critical that the colonists unite to fight for their independence.
Abany Plan Pros And Cons
1759 Words | 8 PagesEarlier in his life his brother was imprisoned for his newspaper because it “gave offense to the Assembly”. Although only imprisoned for a month, this was a huge injustice on what Franklin saw as basic human rights. Later in Benjamin Franklin’s life he had another experience with the freedom of speech being restrained. During his second time living in London, Benjamin Franklin came across letters from governors in the colonies that warned of the colonies losing dependence on Britain. Concerned with what the letters contained, Franklin sent them to a friend in Boston with explicit instructions not to have them published.
Benjamin Franklin's Ethos In Speech In The Convention
518 Words | 3 PagesAs a result, Benjamin Franklin is a wise man, in order to create trusts from the members of the congress, he utilizes his ethos by accepting his fallibilities and willing to do good for the constitution to be
Benjamin Franklin's Influence On The Enlightenment
690 Words | 3 PagesAt 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
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