Thomas Jefferson And The Declaration Of Independence

Many would say that America was built on the principle that “all men are created equal” and that U.S. citizens are all given equal treatment, opportunities, and so on. But, is that really the case? Was Thomas Jefferson’s famous words, forever inscribed in the Declaration of Independence, meant for everyone? Taking a look back into America’s short (at least when compared to other countries) history, the phrase “all men are created equal” doesn’t really seem to correlate with the circumstances of that century. Africans were enslaved and forced to do hard, strenuous labor or else be forced to endure a beating by the slave master. But don’t forget, all men are created equal. It says so in the constitution. Fast forward a couple of hundred years where all men still aren’t equal, but are close to it.

American colonists should support the Declaration of Independence and the Patriots in the Revolutionary War. Great Britain was taxing the American colonists because of Britain’s great debt from the French and Indian War. Britain made the quartering act, the stamp act, townshend act, and the tea act. This is taxation without representation and it was unjust. The Patriots were angry and rightfully so. The King was making the colonists pay taxes on imported goods to decrease his country’s debt, the Patriots were outraged and wanted freedom.

The American Declaration of Independence has affected the foundation of the United States more than any other event or document in American history. The Declaration of Independence was the basis for what the country was established on. The document was a way for the colonists to emancipate themselves from the cruelty of King George. This document had such an impacting effect because it was such a new way of bringing up concerns. It was the first of its kind in the history of America in the aspect of liberation of a group of people.

Our country’s founders didn’t come up with the ideas of our government’s structure and beliefs by themselves; they all were greatly influenced by many different people, including some of the philosophers of the Enlightenment period. However, one of these philosophers in particular shaped a founder’s ideas more directly than the rest. Ultimately, John Locke directly and greatly influenced Thomas Jefferson’s political philosophy and agreed with the majority of his beliefs, which can be seen especially in the Declaration of Independence and the fundamental ideas each man emphasizes in his works. While there are a few small differences in their philosophies, they are still so similar that Jefferson has even been accused of plagiarizing parts of Locke’s compositions.

The Declaration of Independence was written justifying the reasons for revolting against the British rule. It served three purposes, outlining its theory of government, listing complaints, and declaring war. The main complaint was the passage of unfavorable laws in England that affected the colonists yet they were not represented within the English Parliament to air the opinions while such laws were being passed. Though appearing like a logical argument, the British might have viewed it as diluting their power within their own parliament. Another complaint was the King’s role in making it difficult for the Colonists to participate in governance; this might also have been seen as undermining the British power in America and then there was forbidding laws that would have established significant judiciary powers. The King being the supreme source of justice might have viewed it as undermining

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which Congress adopted after revision on July 4th, 1776. It avowed that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” that the government cannot violate. On November 15, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation . In other words, this was the original Constitution of the United States, and formal sanction of the Articles of Confederation by all thirteen states did not happen until March 1, 1781. In fact, the Articles of Confederation did not hold the sovereign states together. It however, created a weak central government, which gave most of the power to the state governments. In reaction to the Lee Resolution, which proposed independence, the Second Continental Congress appointed three committees on June 11, 1776. The one committee drafted the Declaration of Independence. Another drafted plans for forming foreign alliances and the third made arrangements to form the Confederation. The present United States Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation on March 4, 1789.

For many years now, Americans have intended to resolve the conflict regarding to attempt to strike a balance between preserving individual rights and forming a strong lasting union. In reality, the balance between these two topics may always remain intact and finding a solution for both may be difficult to achieve. Though it may be crucial which of the two topics benefits the country more, authors, characters, and founders, have made solid statements that give their own opinion that demonstrate why both of these topics are fundamental to our everyday life as Americans.

The American Declaration of Independence has affected the foundation of the United States more than any other event or document in American history. The Declaration of Independence was the basis for what the country was established on. The document was a way for the colonists to emancipate themselves from the cruelty of King George. This document had such an impacting effect because it was such a new way of bringing up concerns. It was the first of its kind in the history of America in the aspect of liberation of a group of people.

Thomas Jefferson was a very determined person with well-written document during the British Tyranny. The document, he listed was to inspire and spread his idea on the topic for independence against British rule. Although many colonies were at the disagreement on whether to fight for independence or not, Jefferson still decided to take action to change those opinions. Thomas Jefferson wanted to unite the 13 colonies through the common problem that they all have faced, as reason towards freedom. In“Declaration of Independence” Thomas Jefferson successfully uses appeals to logos, appeals to pathos, and appeals to ethos to encourage his point toward freedom, for the other colonists to be encouraged in their decision to fight for independence against British rule.

Jefferson assaulted this framework by canceling primogeniture and involve, two long-standing customs that guided legacies to a solitary beneficiary. Under the new framework, a more equivalent circulation of grounds was empowered. Since just landowners were qualified to vote, an expansion in the quantity of landowners would expand the quantity of qualified voters. Assist, by making movement a less confused and select process, new families touched base in large numbers and started to settle along the wilderness. In the end, Jefferson contemplated, these measures would destroy the impact of the long-standing government of substantion landowners.

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

On July 4,1776, the colonies approved the document, for which has been named "The Declaration of independence". Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the five selected people to chose the careful wording. After discussing they chose Jefferson, who was the most proficient writer to write. The declaration was divided into three parts. The first was a simple statement of intent, meaning a formal statement that the author has a intention of doing under specified conditions, and at a specified time. The second part was about a list of grievances; that is, why the colonies deemed independence of appropriate. The final paragraph officially severed ties with Britain. Although, Jefferson took his time writing and editing this, they

Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence had the intention of changing minds. Signed on July 4, 1776, this historical document was meant to reach beyond oceans. First, Jefferson opens up the declaration by presenting why the actions of rebellion by the American people were legitimate. Secondly, it targeted citizens of foreign countries such as France and mentions universal values such as “sacred Honor” and “the voice of justice” to effectively connect with the prospective readers. Jefferson describes in detail injustices the British king committed against the colonists to justify their separation from the “Crown” as he puts it. Furthermore, the potential reader whether an average citizen or foreign leader is see the thirteen colonies

In 1776, since Jefferson was a member of Continental Congress, he was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence, since he was a member of Continental Congress. (Brief…Jefferson, 2005). Looking back in High School, the class discussion about The Declaration of Independence was that Jefferson predicted the coming of great changes in America within the times that he lived in. He wrote this document for the American Citizens at the time, and it still exists today. The Declaration personified many of the ideas that separated the colonies from England and therefore the process of creating a new country begun.

In the Declaration of Independence (US 1776), Thomas Jefferson introduces a statement accepted by the Second Continental Congress to declare the causes that compel the thirteen colonies to separate themselves from the British Crown and form their own individual states. This revolutionary document is organized into six sections. The Declaration of Independence (US 1776) opens with an introduction, declaring the reasons the American colonies want to leave the British Crown. They also state that their independence is absolutely necessary and unavoidable. The second section includes the preamble which provides the reasons for writing the Declaration of Independence (US 1776). Also included in this section is the colonist’s beliefs about government and John Locke’s theory on natural rights and social contract. In the third section, 29 grievances are listed against England and King George III. These complaints include taxation without representation, forcing the colonists to keep British soldiers in their homes, restricting the colonist’s trade, shutting down colonial legislatures and their attempts to seek redress from the king for their problems. The fourth section is stating the colonist’s efforts to appeal various decisions made by King George III and how their requests were met in vain. The fifth section is a formal declaration stating that the colonies are now “Free and Independent States” (¶ 6). The colonies state they will rule themselves and discontinue their loyalty to