How does Benjamin Franklin, "observation concerning the increase of mankind ". Gives ideas about freedom and oppression at that time. Was there freedom in colonial America for any group (based on race, class, gender, and so on)?

Observations Concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, etc. 

is a short essay written in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin. It was circulated by Franklin in manuscript to his circle of friends, but in 1755 it was published as an addendum in a Boston pamphlet on another subject. It was reissued ten times during the next 15 years.

The essay examines population growth and its limits. Writing as, at the time, a loyal subject of the British Empire, Franklin argues that the British should increase their population and power by expanding across the Americas, taking the view that Europe is too crowded.

Step-by-step explanation

Franklin projected an exponential growth (doubling every twenty five years) in the population of the British colonies, so that in a century "the greatest Number of Englishmen will be on this Side of the Water", thereby increasing the power of England. 

As Englishmen they would share language, manners, and religion with their countrymen in England, thus extending English civilization and English rule substantially.

Franklin viewed the land in America as underutilized and available for the expansion of farming. This enabled the population to establish households at an earlier age and support larger families than was possible in Europe. The limit to expansion, reached in Europe but not America, is reached when the "crowding and interfering with each other's means of subsistence".

Protectionist policies in 1750 led to the prohibition of ironworks in America. 

Franklin's essay argued against such policies by advancing the position that labor is more valued in self-owned farming given the availability of land in America. "No man continues long a laborer for others, but gets a plantation of his own." 

Growth in the colonies should increase demand for British manufacturing making protectionism unwise, an argument appreciated by Adam Smith.

Franklin argued that slavery diminished the nation, undermined the virtue of industry, and diminished the health and vitality of the nation. 

He argued that slavery was not as cost effective or productive as free labor.

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Gives ideas about freedom and oppression at that time. Was there freedom in colonial America for any group (based on race, class, gender, and so on)?

Consumption, trade, and slavery drew the colonies closer to Great Britain, but politics and government split them further apart. Democracy in Europe more closely resembled oligarchies rather than republics, with only elite members of society eligible to serve in elected positions. Most European states did not hold regular elections, with Britain and the Dutch Republic being the two major exceptions. 

However, even in these countries, only approximately 1% of males could vote. In the North American colonies, by contrast, white male suffrage was nearly universal. In addition to having greater popular involvement, colonial government also had more power in a variety of areas. 

Assemblies and legislatures regulated businesses, imposed new taxes, cared for the poor in their communities, built roads and bridges, and made most decisions concerning education. Colonial Americans sued often, which in turn led to more power for local judges and more prestige in jury service. 

American society was less tightly controlled than European society. This led to the rise of various interest groups, each at odds with the other. These various interest groups arose based on commonalities in various areas. 

Some commonalities arose over class-based distinctions, while others were due to ethnic or religious ties. 

One of the major differences between modern politics and colonial political culture was the lack of distinct, stable, political parties. 

The most common disagreement in colonial politics was between the elected assemblies and the royal governor. Generally, the various colonial legislatures were divided into factions who either supported or opposed the current governor's political ideology.

As far as political structure, colonies fell under one of three main categories: provincial, proprietary, and charter.

Marriage opened up new emotional realms for some but remained oppressive for others. 

Example.

For the millions of Americans bound in chattel slavery, marriage remained an informal arrangement rather than a codified legal relationship. 

For white women, the legal practice of coverture meant that women lost all of their political and economic rights to their husband.