Because Benjamin Franklin Was A Founding Father Too Often

because Benjamin Franklin Was A Founding Father We Too Often Wri

1) Because Benjamin Franklin was a "founding father," we too often write about him as if he were a saint! Franklin very definitely does not present himself that way. For example, he is very open about his errata. Discuss an example of how Franklin describes or presents himself. Why do you think he is so open about his flaws as well as his aspirations?

2) Discuss what one of the authors from the handout has to say about what the new nation of the United States should be. You may want to discuss the conflict between John and Abigail Adams over that. Politics of location was critically important here. At the beginning of the United States, only white men with property had the right to vote -- gender, race, and class determined who could vote.

3) In the first version of the Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson wrote, he lists the crimes that King George has committed against the Americans. Did his strong statements blaming the British king for imposing slavery and the slave trade on the American colonies surprise you?

Paper For Above instruction

Benjamin Franklin stands as one of the most prominent figures among the American founding fathers, celebrated for his role in shaping the early United States. However, it is often mystified or idealized in historical narratives; Franklin's own writings reveal a more nuanced and self-critical image that emphasizes his human flaws alongside his aspirations. This openness about his imperfections offers insight into his character and philosophical outlook, illustrating a pragmatic approach to personal growth and societal change.

One notable example of Franklin's candid self-assessment appears in his autobiography, where he details his early struggles with temper and vanity. For instance, Franklin admits to moments of arrogance and impatience, reflecting a conscious effort toward self-improvement. Such honesty underscores his understanding that moral and personal development are ongoing processes, not static qualities. Franklin's willingness to acknowledge his flaws indicates a humble recognition that progress arises from self-awareness and continuous effort. His openness might also serve to make his ideals more relatable to a broader audience, emphasizing that even great individuals have shortcomings worth addressing.

This candid self-representation was strategic; Franklin believed that honesty and humility would inspire others toward self-betterment. By openly discussing his own mistakes, he fostered an image of a leader who championed learning and resilience. This approach aligns with Enlightenment principles emphasizing reason, progress, and self-improvement. Franklin’s transparency about his errors does not diminish his achievements but instead humanizes him, making his inspiring qualities more accessible and believable.

Moving beyond Franklin, the early Americans debated what the new nation should embody. The writings of various authors reveal contrasting visions rooted in their social contexts. For example, Abigail Adams famously urged her husband, John, to 'remember the ladies' in the nascent nation's laws, advocating for gender considerations in governance. This contrasts with the prevailing political reality in the late 18th century, where suffrage was limited to property-owning white men, reflecting gender, racial, and class hierarchies.

The Adams' disagreements highlight the conflicting visions for America’s identity. While John Adams emphasized republican virtue and liberty rooted in property rights, Abigail's perspective foregrounded gender equity and social justice. These debates reflect broader tensions about who was included in the new nation's political community. At that time, political participation was restricted intentionally, reinforcing existing social inequalities based on race, gender, and class. Such limitations significantly influenced the development of American democracy, shaping who had power and who did not, with lasting consequences for American society.

Furthermore, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, incorporated strong language condemning King George III for myriad offenses. Jefferson’s list of grievances includes imposing taxes without representation, dissolving legislatures, and maintaining a standing army. Of particular interest is Jefferson’s explicit criticism of the king's role in perpetuating slavery and the slave trade, characterizing these as violations of basic rights.

Jefferson's candid attribution of slavery to the British crown was surprising and reflective of the complex and contradictory ideals of liberty and human rights embedded in America's founding documents. On one hand, the Declaration begins with lofty proclamations of universal rights; on the other, it implicitly condones slavery by excluding enslaved Africans from these rights. The recognition of slavery as a grievance against the king underscores the deep contradictions in the founding era—that the pursuit of liberty was compromised by the persistence of slavery within American society.

This contradiction has been a subject of ongoing scholarly debate and critique. Jefferson’s acknowledgment that the king “encouraged” slavery reveals an awareness of the moral hypocrisy involved in fighting for freedom while tolerating enslavement. It also foreshadows future conflicts over abolition and civil rights, highlighting the persistent struggle to reconcile American ideals with societal realities.

References

• Benjamin Franklin: An American Life. HarperCollins.
• Revolutionary Crossings: Charting the Course of African Americans in the Revolution. Cambridge University Press.
• Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Early American Studies, 16(1), 168–188.
• John Adams. Simon & Schuster.
• American Historical Review, 118(2), 373–393.
• The Unknown American Revolution: The Hidden History of the Birth of the United States. Penguin Books.
• Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Knopf.
• The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.
• A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial Modern Classics.