Preview

Ben Franklin Quote Essay

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
352 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Ben Franklin Quote Essay
The Seven Years’ War started in 1754. It was between Prussia, Britain and Hannover that fought against Austria, France, Russia, Sweden and Spain. It was fought in America, Europe, the West Indies, the Philippines, Africa, and on the ocean. There were two reasons for this war. Firstly, there was a serious rivalry between Britain and France about the colonies. Secondly, Prussia and Austria fought over Germany. It was during this time that Benjamin Franklin said, “All people agreed on the need for union, but their ‘weak noodles’ were ‘perfectly distracted’ when they attempted to agree on details.”
When Ben Franklin said, “All people agreed on the need for union” he meant that all the colonies wanted to be united. The lack of unity had been causing distress and had been the reason for the loss of some battles. Being united would strengthen their defense against France. Benjamin Franklin saw this need and also in 1754 the Albany Congress met. It was a meeting to attempt colonial unity, but only 7 out of 13 delegates showed up.
This is where the problem lied. “…their ‘weak noodles’ were ‘perfect distracted’ when they attempted to agree on details.” Even though unity is what they needed, that is not what they all tried to do. The plan was hated by individual colonists and the London regime. Ben Franklin thought people’s “noodles” (their brains) were weak because they did not try to help the cause. People decided to ignore the fact that they needed unity because they did not know how to unite it.
Franklin was known as the first as “the first civilized American” so he obviously knew what he was talking about. He knew that in order to become independent country, the colonies must be united as one. Geographical barriers, conflicting religions, varied nationalities, and differing types of colonial governments were some things that kept them separate. But at the end of the day when soldiers and statesmen from different colonies met around common campfires and council tables

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In 1643, there were four New England colonies who formed a confederation and they came up with the Articles of Confederation. In 1697, William Penn brought forth a plan of union which never was implemented. Last but not least in 1754, Benjamin Franklin came up with the Albany Plan of Union. “The history of colonial efforts to cooperate or unite demonstrates that the colonies had no strong or sustainable need for a common government.” All of those plans never went into effect but that doesn't mean that they didn't want to unite. In the following paragraphs I'm going to state why I think this statement is wrong by using documents A, B, and C.…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    They believed that the colonies need to stay together when they were fighting the French and the Native-American allies. It was very difficult for the colonies to stay together though because they have different governments and assemblies. The phrase "join or die" did not work out well because the colonies looked at the meaning in different ways, some were positive while some were also negative. So, Benjamin Franklin changed the phrase to "unite or die" which helped the colonies come together to keep Britain under control.Also, Benjamin Franklin knew it would be hard for britain to take over the colonies if they combined together rather than stay apart. So this is why it was important that the colonies stuck…

    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Apush chapter 6

    • 3414 Words
    • 14 Pages

    Franklin was also important, remained calm, telling the delegates if they failed they would despair of est. govt. by human wisdom, and leave it to chance of warned conquest. His influenced allow delegates to refuse to give up and they came up with the Great Compromise…

    • 3414 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    He shows the audience that Franklin was infinitely loyal to the British Empire and had huge ambitions to be an important player in the British political-power structure. Wood explains that up until the time shortly before the American Revolution, Franklin lived in England, and nurtured the belief that British leaders were not tyrannical. This was a highly uncommon opinion in the American colonies throughout this time period. Wood reveals that it was through the Stamp Act, and the egotistical behaviors that Britain presented towards the American colonies, Franklin's views on British loyalty were changed.…

    • 786 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many of the moderate delegates has attempted to appease Britain with the “Olive Branch Petition”, but it was never even considered by the king, and he felt insulted by it, so he tightened his grip on the colonies. On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed the colonies' split from Britain, in what is called “The Lee Resolution”. It outlined what he thought could happen for the colonies. The original text states: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.” (Courtesy of…

    • 1996 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    A common influence that caused colonies to strive for unity in the 17th and 18th centuries would be safety and welfare. The pilgrims when arriving at a harbor saw the lack of unity and agreed that all individuals must unite for the general good for the colony (Doc 1). The New England colonies agreed that all colonist must have a firm relationship with each other because it will ensure their mutual safety and welfare (Doc 3) . William Penn agree that meetings and debates must be held for a better understanding of public safety (Doc 4). Other colonist such as Ben Franklin even made a cartoon to convince colonists to…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    This war is known by a variety of names, reflecting three increasingly large dimensions of the conflict. As the French and Indian War, it began in 1754 in what is now western Pennsylvania. A Virginia force of some 400 troops under 22-year-old colonel George Washington was defeated and sent home by a French expedition about double its size. Both had arrived to secure the Ohio Valley, but instead of simply considering this one of many border incidents that had troubled colonial relations since the 17th century, the British government, alarmed that the French had constructed a chain of forts from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico since the end of King George's War in 1748, decided for the first time to begin a major war over a colonial dispute. In Europe the conflict is known as the Seven Years' War, because more general fighting broke out in 1756 that pitted Britain and Prussia against Russia (until 1762), France, Austria, and (beginning in 1762) Spain. Historian Lawrence Henry Gipson dubbed the conflict "The Great War for Empire" to call attention to the fact that the skirmish fought by Washington mushroomed into a world war fought on every inhabited continent then known, including Asia, Africa, and South America as well as Europe and North America.…

    • 1426 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I am on the side of Benjamin Franklin because we have to take matters into our own hands to break free from Great Britain. We have tried multiple times trying to break free from Britain and we can’t just think that King george will stop his ways. Just as Patrick Henry said “Give me liberty or Death” we will should fight to get our freedom even if matters go to violence. If people join the Loyalists then they are breaking the dream of our great country the United States of America. This is also breaking the dream of our great president George Washington.…

    • 163 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography is an inspiring tale of his personal, as well as public achievement throughout his life. Franklin’s life embodies the exemplary model of a life composed of discipline, self-reliance and self improvement. From his humble beginnings as an apprentice candle and soap maker in his father’s business to a successful business man, author, philosopher, civil activist, politician scientist, inventor, and diplomat, above all Benjamin Franklin was, and still is, an American Icon and truly a pioneer of the American Dream.…

    • 1428 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    MLA FORMAT

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Towards the end of his life, Franklin “was convinced that the acceptance of his Albany Plan could have prevented the Revolution and created a harmonious empire” (Isaacson, 161)…

    • 669 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Revolutionary War

    • 824 Words
    • 3 Pages

    First thing is the Seven Year War also known as French and Indian War was fought from 1754 to 1763. In North America, it was a decisive British victory, banishing the French from their Canadian possessions. The war also gave invaluable military experience to George Washington. This war between Britain and France ended with the victorious British in debt and demanding more revenue from the colonies. With the defeat of the French, the colonies became less dependent on Britain for protection.…

    • 824 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    American West

    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Albany Plan of Union, which was drafted by Benjamin Franklin and the governor of Massachusetts Thomas Hutchinson, was a proposal to unite the thirteen colonies in preparation of a war with France. The proposal was drafted during a meeting with the native leaders, colonial officials, and representatives from the seven British colonies. This meeting was called the Albany Congress because they all met in Albany in the spring of 1754. The meeting had two focal points. The first was to ally with the Iroquois. Before this the Iroquois had a better relationship with the French. This was until the 1740s. During Albany Congress the Iroquois Indians were bribed with supplies and weapons to ally with the colonies. The other point of this meeting was the Albany Plan of Union. It called for a new government, a person who had powers of the relationships with the natives, and a grand council was also made. The plan was approved unanimously by every delegate at the Albany Congress but when it was presented to the colonists it never passed. The colonists all would rather have the wars paid for by the motherland. The Albany Congress and Albany Plan of Union could be seen as a prelude to American Revolutionary thinking and action because the Americans wanted to separate themselves to from the…

    • 1664 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Benjamin Franklin came up with the idea to make his life better by trying to be perfect in every way. This can otherwise be known as trying to reach a state of moral perfection, in which one could find themselves being happy with the life they live, and also living a pure, sinless life. It has come to be questioned if attempting to achieve moral perfection is a worthwhile goal. In the end of his experiment he ended up not being able to reach or achieve his goal but learned a very crucial, very valuable lesson. He discovered throughout the recesses of his journey that achieving his goal would be found to be impossible, but in turn he learned that many of the virtues are good to try and maintain during everyday activities and through life itself. By maintaining these virtues the quality of life can be expected to be exponentially greater than without them. Three of the virtues that stand out the most are Silence, Order, and Moderation. Silence, Order, and Moderation are thought to be the most important virtues within Franklin’s stride to perfection and many people today can learn at his attempts to make life more enjoyable for himself.…

    • 998 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Written over a period of nearly 30 years and covering his life only until 1759 (he died in 1790), “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin” is actually tells approximately half of his life story as everyone knows of this great man. The dominant idea of the American character found its apotheosis in the person of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin can be considered as the typical American whose philosophies, beliefs, and principles are exemplified in one’s attitudes towards life, wealth, and happiness. The evidence of all these and more can be read in the “Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. What he calls as “rambling digressions,” Franklin uses a very unpretentious writing style, almost like a conversation, with anecdotes interspersed in the pages.…

    • 2468 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Quotation essay

    • 1103 Words
    • 3 Pages

    "We never appreciate the value of water until the well runs dry". The words in this quote, written by Benjamin Franklin, invite the reader to take a deeper more insightful glance into how possessions and people aren't appreciated until the realization of their importance or value. Through literature, the author uses symbolism, comparisons, and theme to evaluate the importance of appreciation.…

    • 1103 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays