The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin
1- What were some of the differences that separated a gentleman from a commoner in the eighteenth century?
In the 18th Century, a gentlemen was identifiable by theit manners, dressing and education. This distinguished their position from that of commoners. They were such as lawyers, American founders and doctors. In The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, by Gordon Wood there is the devotion of the rise of tradesmen to the acquisition of the gentleman title. This is the form of enticement, which Franklin had for climbing up the ladder in the society, which had sharp hierarchal divisions. Prominence, like that, gained by Franklin with the help of attraction of the attention of powerful mentors interested in the merits, efforts and gifts, became the attraction to becoming a gentleman. In this era, a gentleman was polite, genial and social and with the capability of associating with others in an easy and natural manner. Gentlemen had the roughness of male humanity associated with commoners softened. This was contrary to commoners who were awkward and hot tempered. Gentlemen were affable, courteous and self-possessed. That was the picture of a gentleman in the 18th century and they were people known for having fine feelings, like grief, love, friendship and even appreciated arts.
2- In what ways were the colonist ideas of “democracy” different from that of the English?
The democracy in the colonies existed from the very beginning of the New World. However, there was more democracy in some colonies than in others. The democracy in colonies had the notions of freedom of speech, religion, human rights and free market. These were the details incepted by the puritans and the first colonists. They came to America with the aim of looking for freedom and an identity. However, the English government followed democracies though they lacked an absolute. The English appointed a British governor with issues solved in town meetings. The making of decisions was through voting from everyone. They defied the democratic rights in other places by according some rights to women. The English democracies believed in equality through open voting and open discussions allowing for the functioning of direct democracy. The economic system also permitted the exercising of fair democracy without racist prejudice.
3- What kind of contribution did Benjamin Franklin make to the American Revolution while he was in France?
Benjamin Franklin made a very significant contribution to the American Revolution. He was capable of securing aid from the French government, which helped America in its efforts for breaking from the colony of the Great Britain. He used common sense, tact and diplomacy to gain his achievements and that gave him a reputation in the national and worldwide platform. Franklin did much. He was a writer, politician, scientist, musician and an inventor. All these were helpful to the American community during its revolution period. He was helpful to the colonialists through his helping Americans to deny the Stamp Act claiming that the Americans’ could not pay the tax. He was also helpful in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. He uses his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette to express his opinions about the British. The expressions of the disunity of the colonies helped in creation of united colonies useful for the fight against the Great Britain. He convinced the French against the possible gain of too much power if they won and that made the French to aid the war. Too much power in Britain would be bad for French and that made France to send supplies through Franklin and some of his spies to the colonies. He later helped in writing the constitution of the United States of America. These laws helped the new country making him a remarkable person in the revolution of America and the presentation of the new country. He signed the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, 1783 and the France Treaty of Alliance, which were all useful in the revolution.
4- Did you like the book?
I liked reading this book because it showed how the character of Franklin was complex. It also showed the complexities of the founding of the United States of America and life missions. There is evident brilliance in Franklin though it is also clear that people misunderstood him largely and he had many critics. There is a fact that is little known but was necessary for winning the French aristocracy. Franklin understood that part and tackled the issue by making the French believe that he was Quacker. Out of the influence of Voltaire, many people in France admired the Quaker and George Fox and remained fascinated by Franklin. In the book by Wood, there are the highlights of the fact that despite the loss of political grounds in America, Franklin played a key role in securing the financial aid and support of the French. This helped America to gain independence from its bondage of Great Britain. It is a significant book in the learning of the history of America and acknowledgement of one of the most proactive individuals in history.
