Benjamin Franklin's Role In The Revolutionary Era

Throughout our great nation's history, many characters have stood out. Men like George Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Alexander Hamilton are only a few on a long list of names of men and women who have shaped the united states. But none were quite as quirky and inventive as the man himself, Benjamin Franklin.

From a young age, Franklin was intelligent and rebellious. He grew up reading books, and causing mischief. His early life had a large impact on the man he became near to his death.

As the youngest son, Benjamin had the hardest time finding his place. He learned debate from his father, which go on to help him negotiate with england the terms of america's independence.his love for reading and writing led to him fully endorsing the
For them, britain was the enemy, a dragon that needed vanquishing as punishment for it’s crimes against their wallets. No time period was quite as effective in bringing a nation together as a whole as that of the american revolutionary era. During the era, no figure was quite as important in helping the nation find answers to their grievances through religion than reverend george whitfield. Whitfield was a talented speaker, and ben franklin often commended his spectacular sermons, even donating money to his cause. Whitfield influenced many of his audience members in a revolutionary way, invoking many an emotional response. He united entire colonies in religious efforts and denominations, and eventually helped to unite all of early america. Another way that the revolution changed the lives of those living in it was how it invoked a sense of pride in the nation as a whole. The colonists could be proud of how their soldiers were giving their lives so that everyone could be free. This national pride was a force not easily contained. To this day, america is one of the most prideful nations in existence. Ben franklin states in his autobiography that, during his period of self-improvement, he had discovered that “ there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue [as pride]”(Franklin 42). Pride in the nation lead many colonists to push even harder
During the revolutionary period, as well as before it, slavery ran rampant. Nearly every household had at least 1 or more slaves, including the families who could barely support themselves enough to purchase slaves. Once the war began, it became ever more important to secure your slaves. Many landowners didn't want to leave their homes for fear that the slaves would rise up. However, they also didn't want to arm the slaves, for fear, once again, of an uprising. There were some generals, though, that did enlist slaves amongst their ranks. Many battalions were formed of negroes who fought in exchange for their freedom. . Many slaves wanted to participate in the revolution, but few did. Those who did, however, did so in a major way. Slaves fought in the battle of ticonderoga, along with many other battles, and a slave even helped george washington cross the delaware river. However, not everyone wanted them to be part of the war. Ben franklin , however, did. He believed that slaves should be free to decide for themselves whether or not they want to fight for their adoptive country. They too had become a part of the country's history, so they should play a part in its future. He believed that slavery was an atrocious debasement of human nature, which he had once stated during his time is the “ pennsylvania society” (franklin ). The pennsylvania society was where he had often participated in many debates about