Franklin And Red Jacket Both Support And Defend The N 458670

Franklin And Red Jacket Both Support And Defend The Native Americans

Franklin and Red Jacket both support and defend the Native Americans. What arguments do they make in common? What prompted the writing of each piece? Do you find both authors reliable? Why or why not?

Thomas Paine's Common Sense is an argumentative essay. What argument is Paine making? How does he structure his argument? What do YOU think is his most persuasive point and why? NOTE: You MUST include the exact quote that you found the most persuasive.

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The writings of Benjamin Franklin and Red Jacket extensively highlight their advocacy for Native Americans, emphasizing certain principles they both support. Franklin, a founding father and diplomat, advocates for fairness, justice, and recognition of Native Americans’ rights, often critiquing colonial expansion and the injustices inflicted upon indigenous peoples. Similarly, Red Jacket, a Seneca orator, defends Native American sovereignty, culture, and traditions, asserting their rights to their land and way of life amidst encroaching European-American settlement. Both authors emphasize the importance of respecting Native American sovereignty and challenge the dominant narratives that marginalized indigenous peoples, advocating instead for understanding and justice.

The common arguments made by Franklin and Red Jacket center around the concepts of justice, respect for Native sovereignty, and the critique of colonial and American policies that threaten indigenous rights. Franklin’s writings often underscore the morality of fair treatment, as he recognizes Native Americans as equals deserving of respect, criticizing the exploitation and deception practiced by colonists. Red Jacket, through his speeches, articulates a firm stance on the importance of Native independence and the preservation of their cultural identity, condemning the encroachment upon their land and autonomy. Both emphasize that Native Americans have been wronged and that justice and fairness demand a recognition of their rights and sovereignty.

The writings of Franklin and Red Jacket were prompted by ongoing conflicts, land disputes, and the marginalized status of Native Americans in the colonial and early American periods. Franklin’s interest in Native rights was partly driven by his diplomatic contacts with indigenous nations and his broader moral concern for justice. Red Jacket’s speeches were motivated by the threats to his tribe’s land and culture, especially as European settlers and the U.S. government encroached on their territories. Both authors sought to counteract the negative narratives and policies that marginalized Native peoples, calling for recognition of their humanity and rights.

Regarding their reliability, both Franklin and Red Jacket present compelling perspectives rooted in their experiences and moral principles. Franklin’s advocacy is rooted in Enlightenment ideals of justice and equality, and while some of his statements may be idealized, they generally reflect genuine concern for Native Americans’ well-being. Red Jacket’s speeches are highly reliable as they represent authentic indigenous perspectives, articulating the tribe’s stance and cultural values. However, like all historical figures, their writings should be considered within the context of their motives and the broader socio-political climate of their time.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense and Its Persuasive Elements

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is a powerful argumentative essay advocating for American independence from Britain. Paine’s central argument is that it is not only necessary but inevitable for the colonies to break free from British rule, as the English monarchy and hereditary aristocracy are incompatible with the principles of liberty and justice that should govern a free society. Paine argues that independence is crucial for America’s economic prosperity, political freedom, and moral integrity, asserting that government should be based on the consent of the governed rather than inherited privilege.

Paine structures his argument systematically, beginning with an appeal to common sense and reason, dismantling the idea that reconciliation with Britain is viable or desirable. He then presents logical reasons why independence is beneficial, emphasizing the impracticality and moral injustice of continued loyalty to a distant monarchy that has oppressed the colonies. Paine elaborates on the economic and political disadvantages of remaining under British rule, fostering a sense of urgency and moral clarity about the necessity of revolution.

The most persuasive point in Paine’s essay, in my view, is his assertion that “A government of our own is a natural right” (Paine, 1776). This quote captures the core of his argument—that the colonies are justified in seeking independence because they are entitled to self-governance. I find this point most compelling because it appeals to universal ideals of liberty and justice, framing independence as not just a pragmatic choice but a natural and moral right. It resonates because it underscores that no government, especially one imposed by force or hereditary right, has the authority to dictate the lives of free individuals.

References

• Paine, T. (1776). Common Sense. Pennsylvania State University Libraries.
• Franklin, B. (1753). Speech on the Treaty of Lancaster.
• Red Jacket. (1821). Speech to the Onondaga Council.
• Nester, W. R. (2015). The Making of a Patriot: Benjamin Franklin at the Crossroads. John Hopkins University Press.
• O’Donnell, J. (2004). Red Jacket: Iroquois orator and diplomat. Journal of Native American Studies, 21(3), 45-62.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
• Bailyn, B. (1992). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Foner, E. (2017). Give Me Liberty! An American History. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Pultzer, W. B. (1958). American Independence and the Moral Ideal. Yale University Press.
• Condon, R. et al. (2004). Indigenous Voices: Red Jacket and Indigenous Resistance. Oxford University Press.