Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

In Part 3, Franklin shifts away from his self-improvement ideals to focus more on his political and scientific endeavors. These sections spotlight both The Development of American Identity and The Role of Enlightenment Values in Franklin’s experience of public service.

Franklin explores The Development of American Identity while reflecting on the formative experiences American society undergoes during these years. Franklin notices the gradual stirring of American identity during the French and Indian War, noting how many colonists begin to question England’s power and leadership during this time. Franklin claims that England, in turn, appears worried by the signs of the colonies’ growing self-sufficiency, hinting at the widening political and cultural gap between the Americans and the British. Franklin’s would-be appointment in 1756 as a commissioner to advocate for colonial rights further underscores how the American colonies are developing a nascent sense of community that is increasingly separate from that of Britain. Franklin—writing, with hindsight, in 1788—portrays these trends as foreshadowing the eventual rupture in 1775 with the American War of Independence.

Franklin’s experiences in government also highlight different elements of the population in the colonies. His dealings with Indigenous peoples, Quakers, and other religious groups reflect the reality of America’s diverse society in terms of both origins and differing religious beliefs. Franklin’s account of the Quakers reflects some of the delicate negotiating involved in reconciling various interests simultaneously, as Franklin and the government desire support for the war effort without disrespecting the Quakers’ right to practice their religion—in which pacifism plays an important role—while the Quakers wish to maintain their pacifist stance without seeming disloyal to the government. A compromise is eventually reached, which Franklin wryly describes as the Quakers being asked to donate only for the procurement of non-military supplies, even though the government officials sometimes quietly divert such donations toward military ends when and as necessary. This episode thus illustrates the nascent spirit of compromise, citizen involvement, and religious toleration in American society while acknowledging the occasional challenges inherent in navigating competing interests.

Franklin also demonstrates his strong adherence to The Role of Enlightenment Values in developing American society. Even in the 1730s, his early efforts to bring Enlightenment wisdom and values to the American public at large are apparent, as embodied in his Poor Richard’s Almanac and his newspaper, which he claims are “Means of communicating Instruction” to the average American (92). Similarly, his multiple charitable endeavors—the public hospital, meeting house, proposal for firefighters, improved streets and lighting, etc.—demonstrate his commitment to improving standards of living for the average citizen, reflecting the Enlightenment ideal of addressing the needs of the common man.

Franklin also reflects the general trend toward scientific experimentation during the Enlightenment. He recounts with pride his own scientific experiments, such as flying a kite during a lightning storm to test for electricity in lightning. His medal from (and eventual induction into) the Royal Society is significant, as the Royal Society was itself a product of the Enlightenment, reflecting the trend for the establishment of intellectual and scientific organizations. Both the flourishing of Franklin’s Junto club and his establishment of the “Philosophical Society” in Philadelphia reflect the increasing popularity of learned societies for the dissemination of knowledge among the general populace. Likewise, Franklin’s invention of an improved stove reflects both his scientific curiosity and his interest in finding pragmatic ways to improve the day-to-day life of citizens through technology.