Benjamin Franklin's The Age Of Enlightenment

Words: 578
Pages: 3
Open Document
The Age of Enlightenment was an Era in the colonial period in which changed the ideology of people from a religious perspective to a more reasonable point of view that had logical ideas behind it. This Era along with the group of men called America’s founding fathers brought this nation to its independence. Belief in basic human goodness, Faith in senses, and nationalism all contributed to the views that colonists used in their writings. Benjamin Franklin, one of the most well known and credible men in our country’s history, used the printing press to enhance and open the views of colonists. An important goal of his was the nation’s independence, and he used his own personal opinions to achieve it. In his autobiography, Franklin says, “Speak not what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.” This is the idea that words said can often last a lifetime, that it is better to stay silent rather than stir up trivial conversation that can hurt yourself or others in the long run. “..and I made bold to give our rulers some rubs in it, which my brother took very kindly, while others began to consider me in an unfavorable light..” (page 111) …show more content…
In these essays, he had a purpose. A goal of retaliating against the british, and convincing the colonists to do so. “We obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” Paines ideology was that the things people achieve easily, are often the things they take for granted. “..’tis dearness only that gives everything its value. (page 132) When something is relatively easy to have, it tends to lose its value. The harder something is to obtain, the higher value and meaning it holds. Paine says this as motivational words for the colonists to show them that although freedom is not an easy thing to gain or obtain, but the result has a great meaning and an immeasurable
Show More

Related Documents: Benjamin Franklin's The Age Of Enlightenment

Benjamin Franklin Research Paper

Author’s full name – Benjamin Franklin Place of birth – Boston, Massachusetts Date of birth – January of 1706. Timeline with minimum of ten dates of his or her life – 1718 – Franklin works in his brother’s print shop as an apprentice (Franklin 107). 1722 – Franklin writes essays under the name Silence Dogood for the New England Courant (Hornberger 15). 1730 – Franklin married Deborah Read Rogers (Franklin Institute). 1732-1758 – Poor Richard’s Almanack annually published (Franklin Institute). Another…

Words 608 - Pages 3

Benjamin Franklin Influence

The Life and Influence of Benjamin Franklin and His Impact on America Today. By David Jacobson As America’s population reached 300 million people last year, experts predicted the three-hundredth million baby was probably born to a mother who was an immigrant or a son or daughter of an immigrant. While Americans reflect on all the people who have helped shape this country into what it is today and the billions of people who have lived here at one time or another, it is impossible…

Words 4886 - Pages 20

Research paper Benjamin

Chang Jin Lee Professor Mohammed Jamil HIST 1301 3 March. 2015 An Interesting Life of Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin was a profoundly influential American because he changed “the beginnings and future landscape of the country’s political, international, and social life.” (Anderson 8) He had a varied career throughout his lifetime. He was a writer, printer, editor, free-thinker, inventor, and diplomat. He earned the title of “the First American” for his early and indefatigable campaigning for…

Words 782 - Pages 4

History Overview Essay

fluctuated over the years, but the Privy Council and the Crown nearly always accepted its recommendations. Colonists did not like having their laws disallowed, but London exercised this power with considerable restraint. The MOST famous colonial agent was Benjamin Franklin, although colonial agents barely could ever exert much influence on British policy. The British never developed an effective, centralized government for the American colonies. Mercantilism: Navigation Acts, salutary neglect Colonies…

Words 3528 - Pages 15

Gp Essay Mainpoints

GP NOTES 2010 (ESSAY) Content Page 1. Media a. New vs. Traditional b. New: narcissistic? c. Government Censorship d. Profit-driven Media e. Advertising f. Private life of public figures g. Celebrity as a role model h. Blame media for our problems i. Power + Responsibility of Media j. Media ethics k. New Media and Democracy 2. Science/Tech a. Science and Ethics b. Government and scientist role in science c. Rely too much on technology? d. Nuclear technology…

Words 24667 - Pages 99