How Did Benjamin Franklin Have A Risk Revolutionized America

Following Thomas Jefferson’s enlightenment ideals, in 1776, the United States of America achieved their newly found independence and were left to now be their own country. This new republic, to be built to run differently from tyrannical Britain, would form a democratic-republic. This new form of government would create compromise as it would maintain its democratic nature from deriving the power to be governed from the consent of the people and uphold republican virtues with Americans electing their government officials. Yet, this utopia of freedom would not maintain its success nor become created without the bold action of risk-taking. Similarly, great leaders in early America would also take risks when developing their skill sets and following.

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. Without Franklin’s risks, our world would lack something so vital today. Franklin is not alone in straying from the traditional American path with a risk to create new ideas, Thomas Friedman would also share a new perspective while taking a risk, but ultimately share ways to improve America’s political structure. Friedman takes a risk in his hot-take of the current modern United States, “Our problem is not China…Our problem is us-what we are doing and not doing, how our political system is functioning and not functioning…” (Freidman and Mandelbaum 20). He follows this notion by describing his solution, “And our solution is us-the people, the society, and the government that we used to be, and can be again.” (Friedman and Mandelbaum

Their risk-taking also exemplifies leadership qualities that are quintessential in the ruling of democratic-republics. In Jefferson’s situation, his risk demonstrated leadership qualities necessary to run American democracy in his writing. By dictating specifics for the new country, “all men are created equal…with certain unalienable Rights” (Jefferson 2). Jefferson’s diction reciprocates his leadership qualities unto the foundation of America’s democratic-republic due to his risk taking. Winthrop’s risk-taking as a leader also demonstrated a crucial characteristic in the upholding of democracy. Winthrop’s leadership is seen when he enumerates the foundation of the colony, “we shall be as a city upon a hill…we shall be made a story and a byword through the word” (Winthrop 29). Winthrop took a great risk in founding his colony solely on the basis of strict Puritanism, yet it would be this bold leadership that contributed to the colony’s success. In the case of Franklin, he demonstrated leadership in all the risks he took in his 84 year long life. Franklin was “America’s best scientist, inventor, diplomat, writer, and business strategist…most profound, political thinker” (Isaacson 4). Franklin’s risk taking is what made him have such a diverse array of skill sets, yet his leadership would also benefit America’s democratic-republic