Historical Visions and the Idea of America

Question 1

Benjamin Franklin

Answer 1

1706-1790
Born in Massachusetts and moved to Philadelphia
Humble beginnings/ self-made man- representative figure
Owns his own newspaper and makes a profit from that
Printer (access to a lot of books), postmaster, scientist, inventor and reformer
Beginning saw what life was like as a migrant moved away when young
Letters and essays: “Observations on the Increase of Mankind” (1755)
Posthumous famous autobiography- says how his life is achievable
European/ Enlightenment reputation
Diplomat and founding father
Dressed very simple to represent his country through his appearance- not flamboyant pragmatic get to the point
Social conscious

Question 2

Thomas Paine

Answer 2

1737-1809
One of the most influential writers of all the revolutions
Articulated what made America different 
English man moved to Philadelphia
“Common Sense”

Question 3

Hector St. John de Crevecoeur

Answer 3

1735-1813
French lieutenant in defeat of 1759
Moved to New York and became British American citizen leaving during the Revolution
Wrote Letters from an American Farmer (1782) explores concept of “American Dream”, paints positive national picture
Flees American revolution to London- celebrates age of new kind of man (white men= Americans) emphasises that the colonies put together make a bigger image
Most famous letter of what is an American no aristocracies before French revolution so first revolution exciting

Question 4

Alexis de Tocqueville

Answer 4

1805-1859
Aristocrat, sociologist, political scientist
Active in French politics
Travels to US and tours to conduct research
Publishes Democracy in America (1835 and 1840)
What makes an American is hard to see and is often to do with education and religion etc. democracy can work in America in a way that doesn’t in other countries because of the way the face their social and political life- education different to European high culture and is more pragmatic and purposeful