- 26/11/2012
- Posted by: essay
- Category: Free essays
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine made great contribution to the development of the American state. These famous politicians and outstanding thinkers showed a perfect example of patriotism and love to their land. These outstanding personalities played an important role in the past of the U.S.
It is hard to overestimate the role of Thomas Jefferson in the development of the United States of America. Jefferson was a good politician and made a great impact in the becoming of the country. He is mostly remembered for his great contribution to the development of civil system of America. Jefferson became one of the founders of democratic system of the United States. Thomas Jefferson became the author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statue of Religious Freedom. His writings illustrate his democratic ideas. These ideas had extremely important meaning for the young American state. To certain extend Jefferson become the found of Democratic system of the state. Jefferson expresses his democratic ideas in all his writings. He pays attention to different aspects of social and political life of the country. He pays much attention to the problem of social discrimination and inequality. Jefferson also paid attention to the theological themes. He dedicated much time fighting for equal rights for the representatives of different religious groups. Despite Jefferson did not give equal rights to African Americans and women in the contemporary society this can be explained by the complicated social reality.
Thomas Paine is another prominent figure who made contribution to the American literature and political thought. Paine is a famous Abolitionist and fighter for the American independence. Paine spent much time and effort fighting against the Monarchy and the Church. The Common Sense if probably the most popular work by Thomas Paine. In this pamphlet the author criticizes the monarchy and calls people to fight for independence. The Common Sense influenced many people and helped them to start fighting for their rights and freedoms. In his writings Thomas Paine gives his ideas about the further development of the United States of America. He points out that independency is a necessary condition of the normal development of the country. His writing became so inspiring that many people followed his ideas and started fight for democratic ideals.
Benjamin Franklin also played an important role in the becoming of the U.S. He took part in creating the Declaration of Independence, wrote many pamphlets and made important technological discoveries. Franklin published Poor Richard’s Almanac which contained a lot of interesting and useful information. Franklin’s pamphlets had important social and political meaning. During the time of the Revolutionary War Franklin wrote many pamphlets which called people to fight for independence. Franklin also proclaimed the union among the colonies. Franklin took part in writing of the 1783 Treaty of Paris. This Treaty ended the Revolutionary War. Four years later Franklin signed the Constitution of the United States of America. His famous book The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, which was published after his death, illuminates his multiple talents and great contribution to the political history of the country.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine made great contribution to the American literature. Their literary works corresponded to the spirit of the time and had political coloring but this fact does not cancel great literary value of their writings.
Works Cited
Bernstein, R.B. Thomas Jefferson. NY: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Isaacson, Walter. Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, 2004.
Kaye, Harvey J., Thomas Paine and the Promise of America. Hill and Wang, 2005.
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