In this article, Brands’ includes several quotes about how Benjamin Franklin, though considerably older that his colleagues, valued people over profit. Franklin favored a unicameral legislature, meaning that instead of just one president, there would be one house of intelligent men working to keep the country in order. Unfortunately at that point, his ideas were considered figments of an aging man’s mind and were not truly considered. It seemed as though their convention was making very little progress until Alexander Hamilton reported an observation of Britain’s government and how it was very successful.…
Douglass and Franklin epitomize the ideal self-made man and overcame obstacles not known to Americans today. As McMichael and Leonard state Franklin was, “Model of the self-made man, a culture-hero whose life exemplifies the American dream of the poor boy who makes good” (375). Franklin’s resume was extensive and long and included, but not limited to: a printer, a fireman, a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, signer of four major documents in the history of America. According to Walter Isaacson, “Franklin was the first great embodiment of that American archetype: the spunky, self-made Horatio Alger who rises from rags to riches by aspiration and grit, and then dedicates himself to creating a society where others can do the same.”…
In The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin, Wood explains the life of the Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, and shows how he became one of America’s greatest icons. Also, he gives readers a new understanding of the American Revolution and a profound insight into the emergence of America’s ideas itself (16). Wood also examines the events that caused Franklin’s life and views to change not only himself but American Culture (246). Moreover, individuals today do not know where life will lead them; however, just like Franklin he was never destined to be the symbol of significance as the entrepreneurial American nor was he destined to be an American (x). Therefore, just like Franklin, individuals should never give up nor settle for less in order to achieve their dreams.…
Benjamin Franklin was an inventions superstar. He invented many things. Joel Young shows us by saying, “Benjamin Franklin was a big time inventor…. He invented bifocals, the glass armonica, swim fins, the Franklin stove, the lightning rod, electricity, and much more.” Benjamin Franklin was also a write.…
Franklin starts the piece of writing as if he was on Britain’s side saying that they should impose the tax, knowing that they have the power to and will regardless. Although in the end Franklin shows the audience that American will not take the tax without rebellion and in order to enforce the tax Britain would have to kill every American. Without Americans to pay the tax it is useless and to fix that replace them. Even though Franklin’s piece explain what will happen when the Act in enforced it was unsuccessful to stopping it, yet Franklin knew this would happen. Although, unsuccessful Franklin’s piece had great potential to be successful.…
The reading passage describes the views of a Republican, Thomas Jefferson, who served as the secretary of state under George Washington administration and the listening passage presents the perspective of a Federalist, Alexander Hamilton, who served as the secretary of treasury under the same administration. Both the reading and the listening passage describes the path a young US should take and these paths differ radically between Jefferson and Hamilton. One way that Jefferson and Hamilton disagreed was on the basis of economy. Jefferson believed that the US should remain agrarian economy.…
Andrew Carnegie was one of the world’s wealthiest man in history, but he was also a great philanthropist. He wrote an article called the Gospel of Wealth where he states three ways the wealthy can use their money. I believe that the idea of giving you surplus money away as you are still alive is the best way. I believe this is the best way simply because you get to witness what is done with your money first hand.…
He states that the most peculiar and remarkable aspect of Franklin’s political career was that he was so closely tied to the British prior to the crisis of the 1770s that it was an astonishment that he decided to side with the revolutionaries at all. Wood then raises the questions and ponders why Franklin was not more like some of the other loyalist elites and did not entirely side with the British Empire or allow that the grievances be resolved but stop short of a revolution? Overall, Wood asserts that Franklin’s persona as an example of hard work and self-reliance, as well as the selfless patriot, is a creation of the early nineteenth century when such stories were believed “necessary for the development of the new nation”. The argument that is made here really emphasis Wood’s point. Franklin built his reputation and fame out of nothing, and in a time when the Americans needed him most.…
Andrew Carnegie published his essay The Gospel of Wealth to fight for a change in capitalist world. He thinks that individual capitalist’s duty is to play a role in social and cultural influence, to improve the world. In his essay Carnegie mentions, “the duty of the man of wealth: first, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance” (The Gospel). Carnegie is saying that wealthy men need to be an example to everyone else. They need to act professional and appropriately and give back to those who need it.…
Andrew Carnegie, a first-class American who netted millions of dollars in the late 1800s, encouraged and inspired wealthy citizens, through his essays, to donate money to charities, public service agencies, educational institutions, and more. In his entire lifetime, he accumulated more than 390 million dollars, which would amount to over four billion dollars today. Ninety percent of that was donated to charities and foundations, supporting over 2,500 libraries and hundreds of venues for concerts and meetings. When he wrote The Gospel of Wealth, many other wealthy American citizens joined Carnegie’s endeavors. The Gospel of Wealth influenced many wealthy Americans to donate their excess money to universities and colleges.…
Andrew Carnegie in “Gospel of Wealth” talks about the problem people were facing in 1889 was the administration of wealth, which was the era of industrial revolution. He was a person who didn’t want equality between wealthy and rich people, he always said rich people are the fittest and they should be. He gave reasons for what he said, people are poor because of themselves, they don’t work and don’t have education to progress. Carnegie was anti charity and didn’t support people who needed help. His thinking was to invest money on things where poor people will work and earn money for their living.…
I believe we live in a society where the opportunity to be successful is supposed to be available to everyone yet isn’t. Each individual is supposed to have the opportunity to surpass their potential and become the best possible version of themselves yet they don’t. These days, success means graduating high school, going to college, and getting a well-paying job. But the opportunity to go to college isn’t available to everyone making it hard for them to get a well paying job and earn the money they need to survive.…
It was that he did all this coming from nothing, that Franklin had to teach himself how to read and write and put an enormous amount of effort in to get to the point he ended up. Benjamin Franklin did live his American Dream, but that is just it, it was his American Dream for his life and his conditions. That is why it can be said that Frederick Douglass’ American Dream was a better one than Benjamin…
Andrew Carnegie, a self made millionaire stated “the man who dies thus rich dies disgrace” (Carnegie). The inspiration came from his belief that men like him held a great responsibility to contribute their wealth for the good of mankind. In his essay “The Gospel of Wealth” he emphasizes on how millionaires should spread their wealth even by leaving a positive impact in the world. However his main concern is how wealthy man should contribute to society when they’re alive.…
Franklin lived the American dream by starting with humble beginnings and ending with a very successful life. He found the secret to success by being selfless and putting his family and others first. Born in Sharp county Arkansas to Enoch Dewey Schales and Ruth Octavia Bonhill Schales. He was the 5th of 11 children. In 1938, they sold the family farm to move to Missouri that taught high school for the oldest daughter.…