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Benjamin Franklin: A Complex Figure in the American Revolution Amidst the Moral Dilemma of Slavery**

Dawson Reed

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Published in Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin Slavery And The American Revolution

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Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential figures in American history, played a pivotal role in shaping the course of the American Revolution. His legacy as a Founding Father, inventor, and diplomat has left an indelible mark on the nation. However, Franklin's views on slavery have cast a complex shadow over his otherwise illustrious career.

Franklin's Early Views on Slavery

Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin, Slavery, and the American Revolution

by David Waldstreicher

4.9 out of 5

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Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts, a colony where slavery was an accepted practice. In his early life, Franklin exhibited a pragmatic acceptance of slavery as a necessary evil. He owned slaves, managed slave auctions, and co-founded the Philadelphia Association for Promoting the Instruction of Blacks in 1787.

Growing Abolitionist Sentiments

As Franklin matured, his views on slavery began to evolve. Witnessing the horrors of the middle passage and the brutality of plantation life firsthand, he developed a growing distaste for the institution. In 1751, he published an anonymous essay arguing that slavery was both morally wrong and economically detrimental.

The Moral Dilemma

Despite his growing abolitionist sentiments, Franklin faced a moral dilemma. As a prominent and influential figure, he recognized the potential consequences of openly challenging slavery. The institution was deeply ingrained in the fabric of colonial society, and its abolition could have destabilized the delicate balance of power between the colonies and Great Britain.

Pragmatism and Compromise

Faced with this dilemma, Franklin adopted a pragmatic approach. He continued to oppose slavery privately but publicly advocated for gradual abolition and the improvement of the conditions of enslaved people. He worked to establish schools for black children, supported the abolitionist Quaker movement, and proposed a plan for the gradual emancipation of slaves in Pennsylvania.

The Impact on the Revolution

Franklin's complex views on slavery had a significant impact on the American Revolution. His abolitionist sentiments influenced other Founding Fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who eventually came to embrace the cause of emancipation. However, his pragmatism also contributed to the compromise that allowed slavery to persist in the newly formed United States.

The Paradox of a Founding Father

Benjamin Franklin's legacy as a Founding Father is a testament to his multifaceted intellect and contributions to American society. However, his views on slavery remain a source of both admiration and criticism. Some historians laud him as an early advocate for abolition, while others condemn him for his compromises and concessions to slaveholders.

Franklin's Influence on the Abolitionist Movement

Despite his own hesitation, Franklin's writings and actions played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the abolitionist movement. His essay "Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc." (1751) was widely read and influenced the thinking of abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass.

The Quest for Reconciliation

Franklin's legacy is ultimately a testament to the complexities of history and the challenges faced by individuals grappling with moral dilemmas. While his compromises on slavery may be seen as a failure, his efforts to improve the lives of enslaved people and promote the eventual abolition of the institution deserve recognition.

Benjamin Franklin's position on slavery was a reflection of the tumultuous era in which he lived. As a pragmatic and influential figure, he navigated a delicate balance between his abolitionist sentiments and the complexities of colonial society. While his compromises may have prolonged the institution of slavery, his contributions to the abolitionist movement and his unwavering commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality ultimately left a lasting impact on the nation he helped to shape.

Runaway America: Benjamin Franklin, Slavery, and the American Revolution

by David Waldstreicher

4.9 out of 5