Benjamin Franklin Impact on American History

Founding Father Writer Printer Politician Scientist Inventor Statesman Diplomat

The Paradox of Franklin Owned slaves Railed against Germans in PA Not a feminist Supported the military Rejected Christianity Socialistic views Fathered an illegitimate child Held Americans in low regard

The Man of Many Faces Prior to the Revolution, Franklin was already world famous: Member of the prestigious Royal Society Honorary degrees from St. Andrews and Oxford A world leader in science and philosophy

The Man of Many Voices Pseudonyms: Silence Dogood, Alice Addertongue, Cecilia Shortface, Polly Baker, Busy Body, Obadiah Plainman, Anthony Afterwit, Richard Saunders, Poor Richard, An American, A New-England Man, A Briton, A London Manufacturer While in London, used 42 different signatures

Apprenticeship and Printer Hierarchical New England Two years of formal education Candle and soap maker Apprenticed to his brother James, printer 1721, New England Courant, James’ newspaper In 1722, at 16, Franklin secretly submitted satires, signed by Silence Dogood

Leaving Boston James’ paper was shut down Franklin found apprenticeship intolerable Franklin had become –“a little obnoxious to the governing Party” He was viewed as an “Infidel or Atheist” In 1723, left Boston for Philadelphia

Young Franklin and Social Mobility Patronage was the accepted way of achieving upward social mobility Not uncommon for men of humble birth to rise to prominence Franklin’s talents were soon recognized by the governors of PA and NY Even Cotton Mather expressed an interest

The Great Social Divide Gentlemen and Commoners Gentlemen were born wealthy Gentlemen did not work Puritan hard work ethic were meant for commoners

A Gentleman By 18 th century standards, Gentlemen did not labor or toil with their hands They inherited wealth Income was generated through rents, or interest on money They were free to pursue interests or leisure This is what Franklin aspired to…

Changing Times By the middle of the 18 th century a new economic class was emerging –This group was neither born into wealth nor commoners –They were the known as “middling” men –Included: commercial farmers, artisans, merchants, traders, shopkeepers, etc –They were becoming wealthy and saw themselves as better then commoners

Middling Men Franklin epitomized this new man –Wealthy and Industrious –Interested in learning –Interested in giving back to society –Franklin organized local artisans who met to discuss common issues

Franklin’s Dilemma By the 1730s Franklin was: Successful Wealthy Civic Minded But not a Gentleman Feared being ridiculed as a …Molatto Gentleman…

Franklin the Entrepreneur Monopolized printing in Philadelphia Franchised print shops from New England to Antigua Was postmaster general Rented houses Owned paper mills Creditor

Retirement at 42 By 1748 Franklin had acquired enough wealth to retire Purchased several slaves Moved to a quieter part of town Franklin attributed his success to –Industry and Frugality

Franklin’s Experiments Time to read, write, and experiment… …with electricity Proved that lightning was electricity Published Experiments and Observations on Electricity in 1752 Made him an international figure

Fame and Recognition Degrees from Yale, Harvard, and William and Mary Praised internationally for the invention of the lightning rod

Public Service More important to Franklin than his scientific achievements Member of Philadelphia City Council Justice of the Peace Member of the Pennsylvania Assembly

The Constitutional Convention Represented Pennsylvania Did not know most of the delegates Did not make any great speeches Seemed detached for most of the proceedings… and did not agree with much of the final draft…but signed it anyway

Franklin and Slavery Franklin’s thoughts on African Americans evolved over time By the early 1780s Franklin had become a leading abolitionist In February 1790 Franklin petitioned the Congress to abolish slavery

Franklin vs. Congress Franklin’s petition generated outrage in the Congress and nation Franklin was accused of upsetting the social order The petition was rejected as Congress decided it had no authority to interfere in the affairs of the states

Franklin’s Death Religious views kept private Child of the Enlightenment Believed in one God, Creator of the Universe Doubted Christ’s divinity But recognized Christ’s significance Died April 17, 1790

Franklin’s: Legacy In the 1790s many of Franklin’s writings/ autobiography were published While reviled by the Federalists, many Republicans embraced Franklin The new rising “middling” class of artisans saw Franklin as their hero This group now saw themselves as worthy to aspire to higher stations

Franklin’s “Way to Wealth” Published in 1758 Franklin published his influential work as an essay. Franklin used adages and advice that he had dispensed in Poor Richard’s Almanac. Franklin Way to Wealth was and continues to be very influential

Franklin’s Way to Wealth, quotes "There are no gains, without pains" "One today is worth two tomorrows" "Time is money" "A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things" "Get what you can, and what you get hold" "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright" "Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today" "The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands" "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"

Lasting Legacy Important concepts that have defined Americans: Self made man Enterprise and opportunity Innovation Industry Work for a living

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