Choose One For Your Option 1: What Was Benjamin Franklin's A

Choose One For Your Op1 What Was Benjamin Franklins Argument About T

Choose ONE for your OP 1. What was Benjamin Franklin's argument about the population of the English colonies in 1755? What was his position on slavery and race compared to Jefferson's? How does he define America and Americans? (This is the hardest document, I have highlighted the parts that are most relevant. If you choose to do this question for your OP I will give you 1 point extra credit). 2. How did Thomas Jefferson, the man who words "all men are created equal" in the Declaration of Independence have come to symbolize the nation, struggle with the issue of slavery? How did he position on slavery compare to Franklin's from a generation earlier OR his contemporary, the prosperous farmer J. Hector St. John de Crèvecouer?

Paper For Above instruction

The selected topic requires an analysis of Benjamin Franklin's perspectives on the population dynamics of the 1755 English colonies, his stance on slavery and race in comparison with Thomas Jefferson, and the way he defines America and Americans. Additionally, it involves examining Jefferson's evolution of thought regarding slavery and equality and contrasting it with Franklin's earlier views and those expressed by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur. This essay aims to explore how these founding fathers viewed the identity and values of America, especially regarding race, slavery, and nationhood.

Benjamin Franklin, in his 1755 writings, presented a pragmatic and often controversial perspective on the growth and composition of the American colonies. Franklin observed the rapidly increasing population of the colonies, emphasizing that this growth was instrumental in establishing economic strength and political independence from Britain. He attributed the population increase primarily to natural reproduction and immigration, highlighting its significance for expanding the colonies' power and influence. For Franklin, a burgeoning population was a sign of vitality and the promise of future greatness, which supported America’s potential to become a formidable nation. This perspective demonstrates Franklin’s forward-looking approach, viewing population growth as essential for America’s destiny on the world stage.

Regarding slavery and race, Franklin’s views evolved significantly over his lifetime. In his early years, Franklin’s writings display a toleration of slavery; however, he became increasingly opposed to the institution. By the 1750s, Franklin openly expressed disdain for slavery, criticizing the economic and moral injustices it perpetuated. His efforts culminated in his 1790s advocacy for abolition, reflecting a progressive stance for the time. Franklin recognized the contradiction of professing liberty and equality while condoning slavery, and he believed that racial discrimination undermined the moral foundation of the American experiment. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence, publicly proclaimed that “all men are created equal” but privately owned slaves and failed to challenge the institution during his lifetime. Jefferson’s conflicted position exemplifies the contradictions of his era—championing liberty while perpetuating slavery—yet he did occasionally express patience for gradual emancipation and racial integration.

In defining America and Americans, Franklin envisioned a nation rooted in industriousness, practical virtue, and moral progress. He believed that the American identity was characterized by a focus on enterprise, innovation, and the pursuit of happiness, emphasizing the importance of education, moral improvement, and religious tolerance. Franklin saw Americans as energetic, problem-solving individuals committed to self-improvement and communal progress. His conception of America was inclusive in scope, emphasizing the potential for moral uplift and societal betterment.

Jefferson’s definition of America aligned with Enlightenment ideals—focused on liberty, equality, and the pursuit of happiness—but was marred by his own contradictions regarding race and slavery. Jefferson envisioned a nation founded on the principles of individual rights and limited government but struggled with applying these principles universally, especially concerning enslaved Africans and Native Americans. His conflicting stance illustrates the complex ideological foundations of American identity—one that aspires toward liberty and justice but is hindered by societal inequalities.

J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur offered a different perspective, viewing America as a melting pot of diverse Europeans who found opportunity and freedom on new soil. His idealized vision emphasized harmony among different ethnic groups, united by shared values of hard work and independence, contributing to a cohesive national identity. Crèvecœur’s portrayal contrasts with Franklin’s more pragmatic approach and Jefferson’s philosophical ideals, as he focused on a harmonious multicultural society founded on shared American virtues.

Ultimately, these perspectives reveal the evolving and often conflicting notions of what America represents. Franklin’s emphasis on growth and moral improvement reflects a pragmatic and optimistic vision. Jefferson’s philosophical aspirations highlight a commitment to liberty but reveal the underlying contradictions of race and slavery’s persistence. Crèvecœur’s multicultural ideal underscores the diversity that underpins American identity, which has historically been both a source of unity and tension. Together, these viewpoints demonstrate that the American identity is complex, shaped by aspirations, contradictions, and ongoing struggles with racial and social equality.

References

1. Berlin, I. (1998). Many Thousands Gone: The First Two Centuries of Slavery in America. Harvard University Press.
2. Breen, T. H. (2010). The Marketplace of Revolution: How Consumer Politics Shaped American Independence. Oxford University Press.
3. Ellis, J. J. (1997). American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Knopf.
4. Franklin, B. (1755). Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c. Philadelphia: Printed for the author.
5. Gordon-Reed, A. (2014). The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. W. W. Norton & Company.
6. Hendrix, J. (2008). The Significance of the American Revolution. Oxford University Press.
7. Lieb, L. (2005). Race and Republican Ideology in the Age of Jefferson. William and Mary Quarterly, 62(2), 279–300.
8. Maier, P. (1997). American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. Knopf.
9. St. John de Crèvecœur, J. H. (1782). Letters from an American Farmer.
10. Wiencek, H. (2012). Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.