Prominent Leaders in American History During the 18th Century

Benjamin Franklin was one of the founding fathers of the American nation and played a role in achieving American independence from Britain. His political endeavors helped in shaping America to what it seen today (Staff) He subscribed to a belief in God (deism)i His belief advanced the idea that an individual’s morality contributes to good actions and activities of the people. The deism belief guided his philanthropic activities, Benjamin established a library in 1731 that later became the Library Company of Philadelphia in the year 1743, and he established the American Philosophical Society to promote the spirit of inquisition.

He also founded the Pennsylvania University and Hospital.

Franklin’s idea that lightning had the tendency to Strike metallic objects and his thought that this observation could be applied to direct lightning through the use of metallic objects in case of electrical squall enhanced enlightenment ideas. By applying their knowledge on electricity, Franklin advocated for the application of metal poles linked to wires to direct the electrical charge of lightening into the ground to help save wooden structures during catastrophic fires in Philadelphia In 1780 he wrote his autobiography (rags to riches) which acted as the foundation for the dream of upward social mobility in America Thomas Jefferson.

He is known as the leading classical liberal min the American history. Being the author of the Declaration of independence, be greatly played a role in outlining the political principles that guided the new nation.

He spearheaded the separation of efforts to separate the church and the state by framing the Virginia Statute for Religious Liberty (Bidinotto), He used his position as the president to foster the continental expansion of the country enabling America to become a world power.

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He became the leader of enlightenment in America through his concern for human implications. He fostered the country’s thinking towards the responsibility of promoting human life and not pure motive, The idea of human life enhancement was considered to be broadly more of an enlightenment thought.