Fresh from the sting of England’s strict rule colonial America established itself with cries of freedom and liberty. The ‘American dream’ is an often debated term- generally believed to encourage entrepreneurship, tolerance and liberty. While debated, the mark of a country’s intentions can be seen in whom they respect or whom they deem to be important or relevant.
Colonial America struggled to adhere to their desire for freedom. What seemed a black and white definition was in actuality only favorable to a select few. As in Europe, the rich white men were at ease and power, whilst the lower classes had little voice. Though a national religion had been abandoned, those not believing to at least the principles of a Christian doctrine were suspicious. The intent of freedom, however, was blatantly clear. In looking at the lives of Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Franklin it is possible to recognize America’s true values.
Frederick Douglass was regarded with great respect; even though colonial America’s political and social construct leaned in opposition to a free black man, it was impossible to deny him his strength of character. America respects those who create themselves and Douglass was the epitome in that regard. Raised as a slave he grew restless when recognizing the conditions his fellow slaves lived in. Only having been taught his letters briefly he managed to teach himself to read and write. Sometimes his lessons were from tricking the neighborhood boys and others from copying his master’s composition book. He believed education was the key to freedom and in looking at his influence this was correct. As an educated slave he was able to persuade comrades to try to escape and though he doesn’t mention his path, it can be inferred he might’ve read the safe route to New York. He had a great deal of respect for life, as he not only valued his, but everyone’s. It is seen many times in his writing, his general understanding for the way his master’s acted, and also his regard for the current slaves- his only writing enough to discover their condition, but not reveal their abilities to escape to the population. Benjamin Franklin did have some notable advantages to Douglass. For one he was a white man, who was able to attend some schooling, but he also had a large family whom were able to find him a trade. This by no means discounts his bold move from Boston to Philadelphia at a young 17 years of age. In his new city he had nothing but his meager education in printing. From this he grew to be a business owner, elected to several offices, and granted an honorary degree. He valued education and virtuous living above all else, his free time was rarely spent in idleness. It is remarkable how self-aware both Franklin and Douglass were. They were always mindful of how their actions would impact others and careful to tip the odds in their favor. Franklin, for example, would bring his paper in a wheelbarrow down the street to show he wasn’t above menial work in his printing house, and Douglass, when discussing his employment with his masters, was careful to set the criteria in what seemed the favor of his masters. They knew how the social system worked and they worked it to their advantages, careful that their image be kept. …show more content…
Franklin had found that when you set a goal and only focus on it you are more likely to be successful. His point on the benefits of perseverance is proven when Douglass lost his focus. Douglass allowed his condition of a slave to [rightly] enrage him, and instead of focusing on his goal of freedom he ended up in a ‘slave-breaking’ farm. At this farm his mentality resorts to that of a slave, to the animal-like mindset necessary for survival and contentment in that condition. He found that it is only when freedom became the most important and only goal, that he obtained his liberty. Even when his conditions as a slave grew better, with his mind still focused he gained his freedom. Franklin, more literally, wrote out a list of his life plan and stuck to it. He did not waste time on anything that did not benefit the goal, and most certainly avoided anything that withdrew him from
Colonial America struggled to adhere to their desire for freedom. What seemed a black and white definition was in actuality only favorable to a select few. As in Europe, the rich white men were at ease and power, whilst the lower classes had little voice. Though a national religion had been abandoned, those not believing to at least the principles of a Christian doctrine were suspicious. The intent of freedom, however, was blatantly clear. In looking at the lives of Frederick Douglass and Benjamin Franklin it is possible to recognize America’s true values.
Frederick Douglass was regarded with great respect; even though colonial America’s political and social construct leaned in opposition to a free black man, it was impossible to deny him his strength of character. America respects those who create themselves and Douglass was the epitome in that regard. Raised as a slave he grew restless when recognizing the conditions his fellow slaves lived in. Only having been taught his letters briefly he managed to teach himself to read and write. Sometimes his lessons were from tricking the neighborhood boys and others from copying his master’s composition book. He believed education was the key to freedom and in looking at his influence this was correct. As an educated slave he was able to persuade comrades to try to escape and though he doesn’t mention his path, it can be inferred he might’ve read the safe route to New York. He had a great deal of respect for life, as he not only valued his, but everyone’s. It is seen many times in his writing, his general understanding for the way his master’s acted, and also his regard for the current slaves- his only writing enough to discover their condition, but not reveal their abilities to escape to the population. Benjamin Franklin did have some notable advantages to Douglass. For one he was a white man, who was able to attend some schooling, but he also had a large family whom were able to find him a trade. This by no means discounts his bold move from Boston to Philadelphia at a young 17 years of age. In his new city he had nothing but his meager education in printing. From this he grew to be a business owner, elected to several offices, and granted an honorary degree. He valued education and virtuous living above all else, his free time was rarely spent in idleness. It is remarkable how self-aware both Franklin and Douglass were. They were always mindful of how their actions would impact others and careful to tip the odds in their favor. Franklin, for example, would bring his paper in a wheelbarrow down the street to show he wasn’t above menial work in his printing house, and Douglass, when discussing his employment with his masters, was careful to set the criteria in what seemed the favor of his masters. They knew how the social system worked and they worked it to their advantages, careful that their image be kept. …show more content…
Franklin had found that when you set a goal and only focus on it you are more likely to be successful. His point on the benefits of perseverance is proven when Douglass lost his focus. Douglass allowed his condition of a slave to [rightly] enrage him, and instead of focusing on his goal of freedom he ended up in a ‘slave-breaking’ farm. At this farm his mentality resorts to that of a slave, to the animal-like mindset necessary for survival and contentment in that condition. He found that it is only when freedom became the most important and only goal, that he obtained his liberty. Even when his conditions as a slave grew better, with his mind still focused he gained his freedom. Franklin, more literally, wrote out a list of his life plan and stuck to it. He did not waste time on anything that did not benefit the goal, and most certainly avoided anything that withdrew him from