Was Benjamin Franklin anti-Semitic?
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The claim that Benjamin Franklin was against Jews and advocated for their expulsion from the United States stems from a fabricated text known as the "Franklin Prophecy" (or "Franklin's Forgery"), which circulated in the early 20th century. This text falsely attributes anti-Semitic remarks to Franklin, including a supposed 1787 speech at the Constitutional Convention calling for restrictions on Jewish immigration. Historians universally reject this as a forgery, likely created by Nazi propagandists in the 1930s to justify anti-Jewish policies.
Key Facts:
1. No Historical Evidence:
- There is no record of Franklin making such a speech. Notes from the Constitutional Convention (kept by James Madison) contain no mention of it.
- Franklin’s actual writings and actions reflect a commitment to religious tolerance. For example, in a 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, he praised religious freedom, writing that the U.S. government gives "to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance."
2. Franklin’s Stance on Religious Freedom:
- Franklin consistently supported pluralism. He helped fund the construction of Philadelphia’s first synagogue for Congregation Mikveh Israel in 1788 and maintained positive relationships with Jewish contemporaries, such as merchant Jonas Phillips.
3. Origins of the Forgery:
- The "Franklin Prophecy" first appeared in 1934 in Liberation, a pro-Nazi American publication. It was later debunked by scholars, including the Franklin Papers Project at Yale University and the American Historical Association.
Conclusion:
Benjamin Franklin was not anti-Semitic, and the alleged expulsion speech is a complete fabrication. His documented legacy aligns with Enlightenment values of inclusivity and religious liberty. Always approach such claims critically, as they often arise from historical distortions or propaganda.
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