Enlightenment Age fight for freeedom in Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine's work

Enlightenment Age. fight for freeedom in Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine's work
Plan :

1. 
   American Enlightenment
   
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   The Approaches Of Fight For Liberty Of Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin
   
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   Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin
   

Although there is no consensus about the exact span of time that corresponds to the American Enlightenment, it is safe to say that it occurred during the eighteenth century among thinkers in British North America and the early United States and was inspired by the ideas of the British and French Enlightenments. Based on the metaphor of bringing light to the Dark Age, the Age of the Enlightenment (Siècle des lumières in French and Aufklärung in German) shifted allegiances away from absolute authority, whether religious or political, to more skeptical and optimistic attitudes about human nature, religion and politics. In the American context, thinkers such as Thomas Paine, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin invented and adopted revolutionary ideas about scientific rationality, religious toleration and experimental political organization—ideas that would have far-reaching effects on the development of the fledgling nation. Some coupled science and religion in the notion of deism; others asserted the natural rights of man in the anti-authoritarian doctrine of liberalism; and still others touted the importance of cultivating virtue, enlightened leadership and community in early forms of republican thinking. At least six ideas came to punctuate American Enlightenment thinking: deism, liberalism, republicanism, conservatism, toleration and scientific progress. Many of these were shared with European Enlightenment thinkers, but in some instances took a uniquely American form.
The pre- and post-revolutionary era in American history generated propitious conditions for Enlightenment thought to thrive on an order comparable to that witnessed in the European Enlightenments. In the pre-revolutionary years, Americans reacted to the misrule of King George III, the unfairness of Parliament (“taxation without representation”) and exploitative treatment at the hands of a colonial power: the English Empire. The Englishman-cum-revolutionary Thomas Paine wrote the famous pamphlet The Rights of Man, decrying the abuses of the North American colonies by their English masters. In the post-revolutionary years, a whole generation of American thinkers would found a new system of government on liberal and republican principles, articulating their enduring ideas in documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers and the United States Constitution.
Although distinctive features arose in the eighteenth-century American context, much of the American Enlightenment was continuous with parallel experiences in British and French society. Four themes recur in both European and American Enlightenment texts: modernization, skepticism, reason and liberty. Modernization means that beliefs and institutions based on absolute moral, religious and political authority (such as the divine right of kings and the Ancien Régime) will become increasingly eclipsed by those based on science, rationality and religious pluralism. Many Enlightenment thinkers—especially the French philosophes, such as Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot—subscribed to some form of skepticism, doubting appeals to miraculous, transcendent and supernatural forces that potentially limit the scope of individual choice and reason. Reason that is universally shared and definitive of the human nature also became a dominant theme in Enlightenment thinkers’ writings, particularly Immanuel Kant’s “What is Enlightenment?” and his Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. The fourth theme, liberty and rights assumed a central place in theories of political association, specifically as limits state authority originating prior to the advent of states (that is, in a state of nature) and manifesting in social contracts, especially in John Locke’s Second Treatise on Civil Government and Thomas Jefferson’s drafts of the Declaration of Independence.

The age of reason can mainly be recognized as the era that transformed the way that the Americans reason and live their lives. Both Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin were fervent writers of their time. They were both way more concerned with enlightenment. They both had a longing or desire of producing new developments in either science, religion or politics. These similarities in ambition, drive, innovation, as well as objectives, are in all probability the reason as to why these two had an interest in each other. They, however, all wanted to make this world more informed, aiming at challenging the old ideas. Their main goal was to make the world a more successful and open-minded place. Paine had a strong belief in human right and that no other institution be it state authority or religion could take away the freedom that man naturally deserves (Schofield, 2015). Benjamin Franklin, on the other hand, essentially unified hard work and constant self-improvement strategies directed at improving life as a self-made man. His life exhibited his strong beliefs towards humanity. However, regardless of their differences, they both laid or generated a powerful foundation for an open society where people are free to pursue liberty.

Thomas Paine notably contributed to the American Revolution through his prominent, incendiary writings. He criticized the divine rights of the king, advising the American colonist to revolt against the colonial rule by throng the slavish dependence on a tyrannical government. He advised for the formation of a new nation that would have freedom of expression, association, education, and religion. He was a very willful and controversial gentleman who believed that America had the right to be free from the colonial rule. In his writings, he wrote that ‘it is a natural right for America to have its own government” (Mills, 342-344)
To Franklin, life is too short meaning that people should never waste time (Wilson, 700-702). This was the leading purpose as to why he always spent his days working tirelessly to make a life full of prosperity. He generated a foundation for the formation of American values and characters which are deep-rooted to Protestants Christianity. Under the tradition of Puritanism, hard work, education, discipline self-improvement, and frugality laid the premise from which the nation was finally built. Being born in a puritan family that believed in God as the creator of the universe and everything therein, Franklin believed in the natural innocence of human. He trusted that if education could be appropriately undertaken it would modify the lives of the Americans, setting them free from the tyrannies of religion and authority. He, therefore, made every attempt to help people meet means of individual happiness through many sayings and terms that motivated the working families.
As a matter of fact, at this period of “age of reason,’ it was a strenuous time for the English colonies. People were in a tough moral battle between themselves whether to stay true to the colonial rule or to make a move towards independence. Paine was known as the father of revolution in the sense that he finally became an inspirational writer. His presence, endeavors, and literature brought to the people bravery they needed for them to be independent or rather fight for independence and freedom. Unlike Franklin, Paine trusted that individuals were not born in a given state in life, but they came into the world with fundamental, indestructible rights. Having the idea of undisputable rights and freedom for human beings, he, therefore, was able to build foundations of freedom for human beings. This all began with a common sense where Paine convinced his readers that they needed to rebel against the English colonial rules, thus sparking the American Revolution (Mills, 342-344).
Anticipating the formation of a new society that would be governed by rightfully elected individuals to represent their people, the colony could only abandon the tyranny. Both Franklin and Thomas Paine were devout, only that Paine held strong beliefs that would ultimately affect his literature negatively. To him, all national institutions emerged as human inventions set up to scare and enslave human beings by monopolizing power and profit. Paine felt that an institution is not necessary for the human mind to comprehend their rights and the universe overall. Only human reasoning is needed for people to come upon natural laws and privileges of mankind in the world. Therefore, the age of reason became a time of debate that still endures to this day. Due to his stance on the fight for human freedom and liberty, most of his advocates avoided him. Without Thomas Paine, the American nation would not have thrived so incredibly.
Age of reason was a time that people noted the beliefs in the ability of reason to uncover the truth. Paine discerned that men who were still loyal to the colonial rule were the worst men, weak at heart. They do not have any grasp of what is good about their lives and do not appreciate the blessings of life. He recognized that those loyalists do not retaliate even when persecuted by the British. On the other hand, Benjamin condems the laziness more because laziness and idleness are the very opposite of what he always stoves to develop his life. He compares the idle men in the society to a hog, affirming that those people that are lazy are good for nothing (Wilson, 700-702). Unlike Pine, Benjamin does not fight the revolutionary war or politics more because he was attempting to showcase the great things about every human being in America.
Although Franklin and Paine are opposite on how they reach the whole idea on building a foundation of freedom and liberty in the society, both are a result of enlightenment. They both were inspired to make new development in public institutions. This is possibly the reason as to why they all both had interest in each other. They both had a fascination in enlightening the world to free society from colonial rule. They both felt that humans should be able to either rule themselves or make self-development. America has an amazing history of revolution and liberation. Many people and events have helped give rise to the molding of the nation that we know today. The forefathers, Benjamin, and Thomas both pioneered the establishment of society and government that would ensure unalienable rights for the Americans and people from all walks of life. American People are therefore prompted to enjoy real life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
In conclusion, Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin were both different in their fight for liberty. Paine’s main interest and contribution involved in politics. He believed that Americans had a natural right to make a government of their won. Franklin, on the other hand, gave rise to the revolution through increasing confidence of humanity through personal efforts and social reforms disclosing the optimism and self-confidence of his life.
American Literature outlines ideas, beliefs, societies and concepts of American life and history. American Literature is a way to document and reflect on American events and history. Many authors works’ are influenced by the environment and society around them.
During the colonization period, the American society was going through a hard and difficult time living under British rules. Many colonies were afraid to speak their minds and follow what they believed as right. However, Thomas Paine rose his voice to invigorate Americans to get...
The enlightenment is the period of knowledge, increase in deism, scientific advancements, belief in progress, equality. The enlightenment is from the mid-decade of the seventeenth century thought the eighteenth century. It was emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine were notable enlightenment thinkers for many reasons. Franklin was a scientist and philosopher. He supported natural rights and freedom. One of his works is poor Richard's almanack about him making himself successful in life. Thomas Paine represents the enlightenment because he challenged the authority and wanted the colonists to fight for independence. He wrote common sense during the american revolution. Common sense…show more content…
He was born on January 29, 1737 in England. Paine, was a poorly educated son of a corset maker. He spent the first thirty-seven years drifting though occupations - grocer, tobacconist, corset maker, school teacher, and tax collector. 1774 he was dismissed from his job as a tax collector because he attempted to organize the employees in demand for higher wages. He was a persuasive writer. Thomas Paine joined the continental army in 1776. He traveled with the army , began to write series of sixteen pamphlets that were called, The American Crisis. He urged americans not to give up the fight and fight on for freedom from England . In The Crisis, NO. 1 Paine states , " I am as confident, as I am that God governs the world , that america will never be happy, till she gets clear of foreign dominion" ( Paine 91). Paine feels that americans most get rid of foreign dominion to be happy. The enlightenment thinker felt that everyone should have natural rights to freedom. On January 1776, he published the most important work that was supported for American independence: common sense was a forty- seven page pamphlet. He lived peacefully in New Jersey and New York until 1787
Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine are both considered to be founding fathers of the United States of America despite the fact that they both came from different backgrounds. Thomas Paine was born in Norfolk England, the son of Quaker and left school early to become his father’s apprentice. Thomas Jefferson was born in Colonial America in the colony of Virginia to a wealthy planter father and a mother from a distinguished family. He was given an extraordinary education and attended college earning a degree in law. As a young man Thomas Paine traveled in England constantly, working and pursuing many different ventures before emigrating to America in 1774. Thomas Jefferson was a scholar, constantly in pursuit of knowledge and inherited considerable wealth from his parents in Virginia. Both men shared similar ideals
Thomas Paine was an English-born theorist and writer. He withheld an important voice in the revolution, using his common sense and beliefs to help build America's roots as he fought for independence against Britain, Paine has been known as the ‘voice of the revolution’ for this. He voiced is thoughts and beliefs in writings, specifically his piece called Common Sense.
Common Sense was an opinionated piece that informed people of their freedom they are being deprived of, and to push for this freedom; their natural rights. He wanted separation between the colonists and Britain. In his quote, “For all men being originally equals, no one by birth could have the right to set up his own family in perpetual preference to all others forever, and tho'
Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin were both very much so, products of enlightenment. They both were inspired to make new developments in either science, politics or religion. This is probably why they had an interest in each other. They both wanted to "enlighten" the world in order to contradict old ideas, and make the world a more successful and open-minded place.
Thomas Paine (1737-1809) helped foment the American Revolution through his powerful and, for the times, incendiary, writings, most notably his first great work, Common Sense published in 1776. (Cain 318) In this work, Paine attacked the divine right or kings and urged the American colonists to rebel against "Mother England," throw off its slavish dependence on a tyrannical government, and establish "the United States of America" (a phrase which he originated), a new nation that would have freedom of expression, assembly, association, education, and religion.
Thomas Paine was very opinionated and to some a controversial man. He felt that in his time, America had the right to be free from Great Britain. He stated that "a government of our own is our natural right" (Cain 331). He also wrote that, "it is the true interest of America to steer clear of European contentions...Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of American goes to ruin" (Cain 322). Paine introduces democracy in his writing and feels the people of America should be a more independent people.
During the darkest days of the colonists' struggle for independence, Paine wrote, in The American Crisis, these now-famous words: "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered, yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." (Cain 338)

Paine's publication of The Age of Reason (Cain 334), a skeptical critique of the Bible and Christianity, led many of his detractors to marked him as "a filthy, dissolute, and drunken atheist." John Adams dismissed Paine as "a disastrous meteor" and "a mongrel between pig and puppy, begotten by a wild boar and a bitch wolf." Few men in American history have been so vilified, and yet so admired, as Paine.

Benjamin Franklin, a Scottish philosopher embodied the Enlightenment ideal of humane rationality. Practical yet idealistic, hard-working and enormously successful, Franklin recorded his early life in his famous Autobiography. (Cain 206-207) Writer, printer, publisher, scientist, philanthropist, and diplomat, he was the most famous and respected private figure of his time. He was the first great self-made man in America, a poor democrat born in an aristocratic age that his fine example helped to liberalize.
"Franklin was convinced that new scientific discoveries like electricity should be put to use for the improvement of human life" (Wikipedia). That was Franklin's major contribution to the Enlightenment, along with many others. One of Thomas Paine's major interests and contributions involved politics and the affairs between America and European countries.
Franklin's abandonment of Puritanism in favor of the enlightenment's rationalism reflects a central shift in American society in the eighteenth century. (Cain 201-202)In addition, his works reflect the growing awareness of America as a country with values and interests distinct from those of England; a movement that, of course, finds its climax in the Revolution. (Cain 203) Franklin's participation in the growing confidence of the eighteenth century that humanity could, through personal effort and social reform, analyze and deal with social problems reveals the optimism and self-confidence of his age, as do his scientific achievements. His belief that theory should be tested primarily by experience not logic also reflects his age's belief that reason should be tested pragmatically.