Question

According to Benjamin Franklin’s pamphlet “Information to Those Who Would

Remove to America,” who is “needed” in America, and who would be better

served staying in Europe? What reasons does he provide for his views? If

Franklin were around today, what might he include in his pamphlet?

Answer 1

The pamhplet 'Information to Those Who Would Remove to America; by Benjamin Franklin was in response to many queries he used to get from the Europeans about life and opportunity in America. He felt that there were many misconceptions in the minds of the Europeans about what life in American entailed and hence he wrote this pamphlet to clear those misconceptions.

Broadly, the pamphlet clarifies what kind of people will flourish in American and who will not. Lets discuss those.

According to Franklin, people who will flourish in America are-

• Those who are ready to work hard.
• Those who have important skills which are useful in practical life. These include husbandry, farming, cultivation, carpentry weaving etc.
• Those who have many children and want their children to learn arts and crafts.
• Those who are religious and pious.

And those who would be better served by staying in Europe are-

• Those who are better fit for bureaucratic roles and government offices.
• Those who are rich and famous by birth and their family line.
• Those who think that the government in America will provide them with everything.
• Those who think of establishing big industries that employ hundreds of people at minimum wages.
• Those who are fit only for armed forces.

If Franklin was around, he would add that people who skills in technology and science will succeed in America. People with limited skills and who are ready to work at minimum wages for the betterment of their children's future may also find satisfaction. Manual labor is not as cheap so people who are dependent on others to do everything at very low prices will not feel at home. People who do not like to travel huge distances by cars might also find it hard as public transport is not as aplenty as other places. Unhealthy people or people with chronic diseases should not come as healthcare is extremely expensive.

These are a few things Franklin will add in his pamphlet today.