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Compare And Contrast Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence

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To capture the interest of their audiences, both Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Stanton alluded to previous Declarations which were influenced by the 17th century philosopher, John Locke, to persuade America into enacting more liberal ideas such as independency and voting rights for women. In “The Declaration of Independence”, Thomas Jefferson argues that the “…United Colonies are...Absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown” (line 110), and that when a government or political leader, such as King George III, becomes abusive by denouncing colonial legislation and parliamentary representation through enacting unfair laws and coercive acts, it is the natural right of the oppressor’s subjects to separate from and abolish that form of government. Jefferson alludes to John Locke to establish what rights people are inherently entitled to. In 1689, Locke published “Two Treatises of Government” win which he stated that “…Reason…teaches mankind…that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” This idea that equality and freedom are rights that should not be infringed upon was reiterated when George Mason wrote the “Virginia Declaration of Rights” in June of 1776 and incorporated John Locke’s philosophy on human rights by arguing, “That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights…the enjoyment of life and liberty.” Jefferson alludes to both Locke and Mason by writing on line

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