Franklin: Puritan or Enlightenment? Essay

When comparing Benjamin Franklin’s style of writing to the early American Puritans style, he has a more down-to-earth approach. He writes his thoughts journalistically, stating what happened in his life, as well as, how he felt about it. In addition, in contrast to Puritan writers, he “believed that people were naturally innocent, that all the mysteries that charmed the religious mind could be explained to our advantage, and that education, properly undertaken, would transform our lives and set us

The Puritan and the Embodiment of Enlightenment The dichotomy between a Puritan and a Rationalist seems to be very apparent. Despite the differences, the very existence of these two writers showcases the need for dissent to influence, and to always question the status-quo. Anne Bradstreet and Benjamin Franklin give a glimpse of the time period during the creation of their works. Many factors affect their writing: gender and the reason for writing, references to non-Biblical scriptures, and the

19 October 2015 Benjamin Franklin as a Representation of the Enlightenment The Enlightenment was largely a rational response to the 16th and 17th century Scientific Revolution, as well as major developments in philosophical thinking, such as ideas proposed by Rene Descartes. During the Enlightenment, thinkers emphasize rational and critical ways of thinking, rather than the complete reliance on religion that had been previously accepted. In many ways, Benjamin Franklin was the human embodiment of

the understanding of God from the Puritan Era to the Enlightenment reveals that science and technology has the ability to produce spiritual discoveries, increase morality, and inspire a sense of patriotic duty in the New World. In particular, Cotton Mather was essential in shifting Puritan values and ideologies toward the acceptance of new technologies during the pandemic outbreak of small pox in North America, and set the foundation for

given its religion and methods of living. This contrast can clearly be seen within the values of the Puritans and those of founding father and political theorist, Benjamin

not as an extension of god, but as a way to learn about ourselves and the world. opposition to romanticism. Three writers between these two time periods, Jonathan Edwards, Benjamin Franklin and William Cullen Bryant each have a different worldview based on their background and provide a transition between the Puritan and Realism movements. John Smith came to the new world with the Virginia Company in order to colonize the land and to start a new, economically successful life. Although he didn’t

Let me B. Franklin with you, I’ve BenJAMIN (The analysis of the cause-effect relationships in The Autobiography by Benjamin) “I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man,”(Hamilton). Alexander Hamilton was a fellow founding father of Benjamin Franklin and was first secretary of the treasury. Similarly to Franklin, Hamilton was a self made man and known for his self-improvement; however, Hamilton’s plan of self-improvement was different that Franklin’s. Due to Hamilton being born

younger sons had to move farther away to make towns of their own Salem Witchcraft Trials and Its Possible Causes - Adolescent girls in Salem MA used spectral evidence for accusations against others about witchcraft; an actual belief in witchcraft by Puritans hysteria from the rigid society a way of poorer and less landowning farmers getting back at the rich way to target women (especially widows or those with land) who were seen as inferior

begin with, the Print Revolution and the Enlightenment are connected because the Print Revolution helped quickly spread Enlightenment ideas to many people. Also because the Print Revolution partially started due to a lapse in the Licensing Act, people could print anything they wanted leading to more open minded Enlightenment ideas. This led to people having more access to books which taught or had different and unique ideas. For example, many Enlightenment philosophers expressed their new ideas through

From the beginning of the development of Puritans to the U.S. constitution embodying the laws and basic rights of American citizens. During the 1620’s, Puritans, a group settlers of English Reformed Protestants that advocated to cleanse the Christian salvation. The Puritans wanted to remove themselves from the Roman Catholic Church because of their religious beliefs of what is right. The Puritans left England to purify themselves and worship freely. The Puritans embarked on a territory known as New