How Did Benjamin Franklin Promote American Identity

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Franklin was a political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, diplomat, printer, and an author. As an author, Franklin wrote his autobiography which consisted of two parts. In the second part of his autobiography, Franklin introduced the theme of the American Identity. Franklin is perhaps the best place to begin a study of the fashioning of American culture for he is, by many biographers, referred to as “the First American.” Because of this many look up to and follow him. He gives examples on how to print, commerce, and some ideologies used to fashion an identity in America. He also explains how the American identity is specific and separate from identity of Europeans. American Identity is ideas, not ethnicity. Since the United States was founded in the 18th century, and with the help of Franklin and his autobiography, Americans have defined themselves not by their racial, religious, and ethnic identity but by their common values and belief in individual freedom. Since there were many different religions in the 18th century, Franklin began to develop American Identity by suggesting that …show more content…
It breaks from influences to help American colonists visualize themselves as different types of Europeans. Before American identity colonists defined themselves as European counterparts. Therefore, Franklin began forming this look on American identity by declaring that all colonial people shared common economic issues as well as many other common issues. American identity in Franklin’s autobiography is specific and separate from the identity of Europeans. Franklin encouraged the Americans to notice that American identity is about ideas, beliefs and common values, rather than race and