Benjamin Franklin is often seen as the prototype of a capitalist. The German sociologist Max Weber said Max Weber wrote, “The spirit of capitalism had to fight its way to supremacy against a whole world of hostile forces.” The purpose of this exercise is to use the class lecture “Before Capitalism,”  and Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography to examine these hostile forces that Weber wrote about.  In reading his autobiography, it is worthwhile to see the people and the attitudes that he defines himself against. Read the first 60 pages of Franklin’s autobiography.  (Pdf version with pages numbers here.) As you read, highlight the people, attitudes or values that he defines himself against. Then write a 750 word essay summarizing what you have found in that regard.   In general, a successful paper will look for specific ways Franklin defined himself against specific larger social/cultural trends, mentioned in the class Before Capitalism.  A more successful paper will also include specific quotes to make your case. If/when you use quotes you don’t need to have a formal citation;  just put the page number in parenthesis at the end of the quote.  A less successful essay will merely summarize Franklin.  Submit your 750 word essay as a Google Doc  via Moodle by class time Jan 23.   Note: Because we will be discussing this history lab in class, unless you are ill or have an emergency, they will be penalized one letter grade per day late.