Before 9th September 1776, America was known as the “United Colonies.” The name the united states were adopted by the Second Continental Congress then and had therefore remained over the years as a reminder of American freedom and independence. Before their independence, the United Colonies started rebelling against British rule back in 1775 but managed to proclaim full freedom and independence later in 1776. Therefore, this essay focuses on the writings of Benjamin Franklin, “where liberty is, there is a country,” on whether the writings were right, and whether that was the American experience from its colonial settlement to the end of reconstruction? Can the story of America during the period be written as one of the ever-greater freedoms for an ever greater number of people?
Benjamin Franklin was one of the key figures in the early history of America. Benjamin was born in 1706 in Boston and died later on in 1790. He was a writer, publisher, inventor, scientist, statesman, and diplomat. In as much as he, later on, achieved the titles mentioned above, Benjamin started with little education and, during his early years, started a printing Business which made him wealthy in Philadelphia. Benjamin loved reading, a hobby which ensured that he attained writing skills hence becoming one. His success in the printing industry enabled him to own the Pennsylvania Gazette, a newspaper that was a colonial newspaper in 1729 (Franklin) The printing Business made Benjamin famous. He started engaging in civic affairs, helped establish community groups, was one of the key organizers of the Pennslyvania Militia, and aided in raising funds for building hospitals.
Having expanded the printing business across all the colonies, Benjamin had to stop working and retire. His retirement made him concentrate more on public service and fulfill his interest in the world of science. In around the 1740s, he contributed to the understanding of electricity and made certain inventions, i.e., the lightning rod.
Benjamin Franklin contributed to the American Revolution widely. In 1954 he proposed that all the colonies be united under one national congress during a meeting with the colonial representatives in Albany; however, this plan was rejected. Later on, in 1957, Benjamin was elected as a representative of the Pennsylvania Assembly. In 1775 immediately after the beginning of the Revolutionary war of 1775, He was elected as a delegate to serve The second Continental Congress ( the governing body). In 1776 Benjamin was one of the five-member committee which aided in drafting the declaration of independence, a draft that ensured 13 countries declared their freedom from British rule (Dull & Jonathan). Later on, in the same year, Benjamin was sent by the congress of France to enlist America’s help with the revolutionary war.
Benjamin’s quote “where liberty is, there is my country” is true. The quote is true because, as much as Americans acquired their freedom, they did not deprive anyone else of it. A people with liberty can do whatever they want but only according to certain rules. Therefore, society is bound to change since everyone can express themselves freely without any constraint from their government. The country’s economy is also improved since people are free to move freely across their country and do so at any time they wish.
The period of colonial settlement began in the 1600s-1763. In 1606, the London company made the first European attempt to Exploit North America by sending an expedition to colonize Virginia. The British later on, in 1607, established a colony which was named Jamestown, located in the Chesapeake Bay. Meanwhile, the Dutch showed interest in the region around present-day Newyork while the French established Quebec (1608). Other companies also started sending colonists to North America (Purvis & Thomas). It is important to note that Europeans North America’s ultimate colonization and settlement was an invasion of Native Americans’ territory. The Native Americans thus pursued different types of means that could lead them to their freedom.
As much as Native Americans tried to resist the European invasion, their struggles were rendered useless because the Europeans owned superior weapons. The other reason for the defeat of Native Americans during the invasion was the popular use of enslaved Africans. Enslaved people were used to providing cheap labor in the regions along with the West Indies, and later on, slavery was transferred to the south and north borders of America.
As much as the Colonists experienced some levels of success, some began to fall sick and eventually died. This was because Jamestown, where they were based, was swampy and unhygienic. In addition, they started running short of food. Fortunately enough for the colonialists, Powhatan maintained a friendship and continued supplying them with foodstuffs.
As much as the Jamestown colonists managed some accomplishments, financiers in the Virginia Company in England were disappointed and sought another charter that the King gave them in 1609 May. Through the Charter, the company was able to compose its personal rules. The colony’s governor was given full authority and inclusive dictatorial powers to avoid disputes. However, the harsh rules of the governors in Virginia did not attract potential colonists making the company shift its course once more. Sir Edwin Sandys was therefore appointed new company treasurer, which saw him embark on a series of reforms. One of the many reforms he made was the policy of granting sub patent lands, a reform that encouraged more and more people to go to Virginia. Sandy also reformed the governing structure and convened an assembly in the colony whose representatives were to be chosen by the inhabitants.
The colonialists wanted to plant Tobacco because it was a cash crop; however, the company discouraged the idea since tobacco production would seduce the colonists from planting corn. Lack of labor was a major setback but was answered by the arrival of the Dutch Man war, which carried African captives. People who lived in the area around Jamestown showed mixed reactions to the arrival of the English. Most of them were hostile to the arrival and even attacked some of the ships before they docked. Captain John’s leadership saved the colony when he started trading with the natives.
The period ended with the founding of the Georgia colony from 1732-to 1750. The project of founding the colony came from a retired army officer, James Oglethorpe, who suggested settling in America was devoted to helping the less fortunate people who lived in London. In the same year, twenty trustees were funded by the parliament by the Charter of the King, which ensured their powers of a corporation, meaning: they could make their laws and issue taxations (Jackson & Harvey, P.156). James started negotiating treaties with the local tribes since he knew the Spanish had influenced the neighboring tribes of Florida. However, the settlers began quarreling about the restrictions put on them by the trustees because they had been deprived of self-government and other rights as British people. This led to the giving away of most of the colonists’ grievances.
During the end of the reconstruction period 1863-1877(end of the civil war), U.S citizenship was redefined, and the Franchise expanded. Differences between economic and political democracy were highlighted during the period. The end of the Reconstruction era ended when Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President by the Republicans. His was an exchange for the withdrawal of federal government troops from the south Republicans.
The story of America during the period of reconstruction can be written as one of ever-greater freedom for an ever greater number of people since it ensured unity by bringing back the Southern states into the union. In addition, it guaranteed rights to former slaves and defined new relationships between people from diverse worlds, i.e., African Americans and the whites in America.
In conclusion, it is of great importance to note that freedom is key to any country’s achievement of national goals. Free people are protected from natural disasters. i.e., drought, social issues, i.e. illiteracy, and lastly, economic issues such as low income per capita. Therefore, liberty and freedom can be concluded to bring about unity among people living together. Therefore, people should embrace liberty and freedom to ensure that they live peacefully with others.
Works Cited
Dull, Jonathan R. Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution. U of Nebraska Press, 2010.
Franklin, Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography. Longmans, Green & Company, 1905.
Jackson, Harvey H. “The Carolina Connection: Jonathan Bryan, His Brothers, and the Founding of Georgia, 1733-1752.” The Georgia Historical Quarterly 68.2 (1984): 147-172.
Purvis, Thomas L. Colonial America to 1763. Info base Publishing, 2014.
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