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How Did Benjamin Franklin Contribute To The American Dream

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Benjamin Franklin: The Inventor of the American Dream
Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was a brilliant and a creative man. He was experienced in many different fields. For example, he was an important diplomat, a talented inventor, and a famous author after publishing his own autobiography. In general, he was a polymath who had an important role in the early life of America. He had many quintessential factors about him and many admired him for that. Ambition, hard work, strength, and common sense were clearly displayed in his personality. Franklin had a passion for life and I think that he showed it to us by his many accomplishments. Benjamin Franklin is the ideal American and the one who revealed what is meant by the American dream. Before Franklin became the famous man who can anything and everything, he was a penniless man. By the age of 17 Franklin quit the apprenticeship that he had with his brother and moved to a new city on his own. “… I found myself in New York near 300 Miles from home, a boy of but 17, without the least recommendation to or knowledge of any …show more content…

Like, sighing the declaration of independence and inventing the lighting rod which protects buildings from lighting strikes. Nevertheless, his greatest invention was and is the American Dream. He proved that through hard work any American can achieve the dream. Although he arrived to Philadelphia almost penniless, with his hard work and little help of luck he was able to make a fortune and retire at the age 42. Franklin’s definition of the American dream implied that everyone had a chance to reach the life of liberty and peruse happiness. Even those who did not accomplish their goals franklin considered that they a made commitment to their country because they believed in hard labor. Franklin established a common goal to the American culture which is based on hard work and

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In his writing a theme that is most prevalent is that of the American dream. Although not coined that yet, as the United States didn’t exist at the time. But right from the beginning Franklin speaks to the fact that he created his success and fortune from nothing but hard work, and intelligence. When describing Franklin’s Autobiography as a primary source, it is important to note that this theme of the American Dream. Most famously from the Declaration of Independence preamble, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” ( Dec. of Ind. Pre.).

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Benjamin Franklin was an important figure in the history of the United States and

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He would become an amazing scientist by creating many inventions like bifocals, the Franklin stove, swimming fins, and the lighting rod (Isaacson). He would experiment with electricity by flying a kite in a lighting storm, which would give him international fame (Isaacson). Franklin was not only a “resourceful scientist” but also a “master negotiator” (Isaacson). With the revolutionary war on the horizon it was critical that the colonists unite to fight for their independence.

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Another accomplishment of his was the fact that he was part of the Constitutional congress, and he also took over as president of Pennsylvania during the Constitutional convention (American delegates of the Constitutional Convention: Benjamin Franklin 5, 7). He contributed a lot of important things that made our constitution the way it is. He helped draft the constitution, and he is an important figure in American history. In our nation, unity is a major issue because a lot of people regard themselves as inferior and do not take time to see each other’s strengths. The constitution acknowledges all of us as one part of a nation who together can rise to overcome any challenge.

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“The Speech at the Constitutional Convention” , given by Benjamin Franklin, was a moving point for our freedom. Franklin was a well respected man for doing many things for our country; such as serving as the president of Pennsylvania executive council and many other honorable positions (Franklin, Benjamin). Allowing him to elaborate was a key component of helping define the term American dream. Franklin being well respected and very charismatic allowed him to effectively broadcast why he believed that the constitution should be ratified. The constitution was an important symbol for demonstrating that the colonists were qualified for self rule.

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history. Not only did Franklin defy in his actions, but as well as his demeanor as he is described as “the bedraggled 17-year-old runaway” (Isaacson 1). This description demonstrates a risk in Franklin’s personality, however, the risks Franklin would come to take revolutionized America. Franklin took an incredible risk when he proved the existence of electricity in lightning, he took this risk by “flying a kite” (Isaacson 4) in ghastly weather and on top of that he “invented a rod to tame it” (Isaacson 4). This risk revolutionized the modern day as electricity is a necessity in the current climate.

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Fredrick Douglas and Benjamin Franklin are both one of the most famous successful in American history. They both followed a certain milestone to make them successful. Even though they are considered hard workers, they both have different obstacles and different views in their lifestyle. Fredrick Douglas used to be a slave who was a fugitive and Benjamin Franklin was young white man who had a rough time with his parent because his parents are very abusive to him. By comparing the difference and similarities by these two great people in American history even though they had their rough times, that does not stop them from their success.

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Benjamin Franklin had major in impact on today. Benjamin Franklin is the icon of American ideals, they often was pictured as "American Dream". In his many careers as a printer, moralist, essay list, civic leader, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, and philosopher, one of the truly dominant figures of the 18th century. Benjamin Franklin Became both a spokesman and a model for the national character of later generations of Americans. After less than two years of formal schooling, He took the initiative of learning French, German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish.

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He was a successful printer and writer and is credited with the discovery of electricity. He was a brilliant inventor as well. Franklin was most famous for his witty and wise sayings. Heroes can achieve many things and reach great heights. In the article “Franklin Charms Paris,”

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Benjamin Franklin was “one of the ablest of the able men whom the American republic numbers amongst her fathers and founders.” (The Illustrated Magazine of Art 37) Franklin was many things during his lifetime and assisted in leading America through a turbulent time of politics. He was a supporter of federalism and religious liberty. His beliefs aligned with many of the virtues of enlightenment ideals.

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Benjamin Franklin: The Archetypal American Modern American identity revolves around self improvement. Americans seek to improve themselves in all areas of life, be it socially, financially, or physically. Americans accomplish these goals through education and observing the successes of others. Benjamin Franklin, a man who is frequently admired by fellow Americans, embodies many of these qualities and, as such, has become an archetype of success and of what it means to be American. Benjamin Franklin is an archetypal American because of his values of self-improvement, community-mindedness, and frugality.

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777 Words | 4 Pages

Benjamin Franklin was the embodiment of the American dream. In the book, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin recounts the trials and tribulations of his life. Benjamin’s stated intention of the autobiography was to teach his son about his life, but others believe that Benjamin wrote the book to teach the world to be a great as he was. Benjamin discussions on vanity and morality are truly the crème de la crème of his work. Even as the ideal American, Benjamin was far from perfect.

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For most people, aspirations and dreams are a part of growing up. For a certain boy in the early 1700’s, his dream was to become a sailor. Even though that specific dream never came true, he diligently worked at everything he came in contact with, whether he liked it or not. That diligence eventually paid off, making him successful at everything he did. This boy was Benjamin Franklin, and his perseverance, hard work, and ingenuity made him one of the most famous Founding Fathers of our country.

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596 Words | 3 Pages

The importance of Ben Franklin has been told all throughout history, along with the famous $100 bill with his face on it. Drafting the Declaration of Independence, foudning universities and libraries, the post office, shaping policies in the U.S., publishing newspapers, making advances in science, and letting us use bifocals and using lighting for electricity. Even if this man never finished school, he did much reading and experiments that help us out today. The reason why I chose to write about Benjamin Franklin was because he was a very important Founding Father and it’s important for people to learn all about

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Even though he is popular most people don’t recognize his great accomplishment that he actually had. Yes he supervised the Declaration of Independence but that wouldn’t have been able to happen if he hadn’t worked so hard to get the French on the side of the Americans. Seventy-year-old Benjamin Franklin has sailed the passage to France on Reprisal about 7 times and in some cases while he is plagued by psoriasis, gout, and pustules. This does not stop him however in finishing his journey. This fight that he shows lets King George III know how far the Americans are willing to go to get their message of independence globally.

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