Thomas Jefferson Contributions

One reason that The Declaration of Independence was so influential was that Thomas Jefferson’s claims against the King of England were easy to understand and logical. Typical complaints include “For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us;” and “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.” Jefferson uses plain language that everyone can understand to point out large injustices done by the king. His statements about the King are short and to the point. He does not waste any words or bore the reader with abstract writing or excess words and thoughts. He goes from one point to the next to the next in such a fashion that the reader’s concentration is never broken. His points are logical and everyone living in the colonies at that time and many people around the world probably had some idea of the incidents behind all his grievances against the king. Jefferson raps up the injustices done by the king by declaring the United Colonies to be free and independent states.

Most Americans know who the founding fathers are. But, not many know what they have done for us and how hard they have worked to be a part of the American Revolution. Subconsciously, each of these men had a great impact on the revolution that started this country. Thomas Jefferson loved education and was well known for being the true author of the Declaration of Independence and for his wisdom. Benjamin Franklin, respectfully known as a diplomat, was also known as a great inventor, printer, and writer. Thomas Paine was a spectacular journalist who is best known for his anonymous pamphlet called “Common Sense.” Through these great men, our country rose.

In 1776, at the dawn on the American revolution, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, beginning with the immortal introduction quoted above. He is viewed by history to be a firm advocate of freedom and liberty for all men. However, there is a lot more to the 3rd president of the United States than the Declaration.

The job of drafting the Declaration of Independence fell to the youngest member of the committee, Thomas Jefferson. In composing the declaration, Jefferson drew on ideas from the Enlightenment, especially those of John Locke. Not only did the declaration represent a milestone in the history of the United States, it also turned the political philosophies of 18th century Europe into real political practice.

Jefferson’s trip to congress gave him good recognition for his literature, science, and talent of composition. However, Jefferson insisted Adams make the draft. Adams stated the reasons why he would not do it, and told Jefferson he could write it ten times better, because he knew Jefferson's words would make it iconic. When Jefferson wrote the paper, Adams was delighted by the quality and information on it. When they reported it to the committee, the congress cut off about a quarter of it, and left all that was exceptionable. They knew it wasn’t just a paper and the Declaration of Independence was important. Therefore, Jefferson proved to be a talented candidate to write the Declaration of

Most revolutions in history end unfortunately with the crumbling dictatorship being exchanged for a mirrored or worse dominion, but that is not the case regarding Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence’s creation was a significant event owing to the fact that it is one of the first historical documents to implement a secular system including the freedom of religion and speech. Historians talk about the mutually inclusive Enlightenment going on at the same time as the writing of the Declaration, which influenced Jefferson, as mentioned: “Many critics have recognized the influence of Enlightenment writers on Jefferson’s prose, praising its clarity, subtlety, persuasiveness, eloquence, and above

Eugene R. Sheridan is a member of the Princeton University Department of History and Senior Associate Editor of the Papers of Thomas Jefferson. He has written books and articles on a number of subjects in early American History. To begin with, the author cites specific achievements that Thomas Jefferson made, starting with the contributions he did when he was part of the Continental Congress. “As a member of the Continental Congress, he proclaimed in the imperishable prose of the Declaration of Independence the values of liberty, equality, and natural rights that always have been at the heart of the American experiment in self-government” (Sheridan 64). He specifically speaks about his participation as the main author of the Declaration of Independence.

In 1776, the American people declared themselves an independent nation. The American people were traumatized by the Revolution and feared a strong central government. This led to their first attempt at a government, the Articles of Confederation, which ultimately failed. After this let down of a government, the founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, which would become the law of the American land. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were two influential individuals, who were originally involved in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Both were involved in the political side of the Revolutionary war, but when speaking of it, told alternate versions of the war. As they approached the end of their lives, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams dedicated themselves to telling extremely differentiating versions of the Revolutionary War; Jefferson focusing on the glory and Adams focusing on the hardships, while Jefferson’s version is the only one recorded in the textbooks students use today.

Washington's troops were able to drive the British out of Boston by March 1776 and the continental congress “ continued moving towards independence”(eyewitness p.90.) by assembling a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence and another for the Articles of Confederation. These steps that the country was taking showed Britain that they no longer want to be controlled by Britain’s dominant government and the delegates wanted to make their own where they can practice more of their independence. In June 1776 Thomas Jefferson was selected to write The Declaration of Independence by the committee because he was believed to be an educated man and his writing was “remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression”( Eyewitness p.91.) When the Declaration of Independence was drafted it caused some conflicts between the member of congress which “There were two or three unlucky expressions that gave offense to some members”( Eyewitness p.93.) said, Thomas Jefferson. Some included remarks about the repeal of the importation of slaves that was many southern gentlemen disapproved. When trying to compromise on an idea for the different views of the delegates Thomas Jefferson turns to the advice of Benjamin Franklin that later on helps him that people have different ideas on certain subjects and not all of them will be able to agree. When it came to the subject of slavery “Thomas Jefferson’s southern

“We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Thomas Jefferson believed those words as he chose to write the Summary View of the Rights of British America, The Declaration of Independence, and the Virginia Constitution. Jefferson retained many powerful beliefs about the freedom and rights of America. Jefferson was an amazingly gifted writer. He knew what he wanted to express and how to put it into words. These writings along with many more played an immense part in gaining America the freedom we enjoy today.

This was a major turning point in history because it provided the foundation for the creation of all men to be made equal. It also explained why the 13 colonies wanted to break free from British control. ”We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.( The Declaration of Independence)” Jefferson’s selection was not only based on his powerful writing style but also on many of Virginia’s views and thoughts. According to Peter Onuf, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation Professor of History, The four other members such as: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston, agreed that Jefferson was the right choice to draft the Declaration of Independence due to his “superior writing skills and penetrating mind.” By Jefferson writing this instrumental document he solidified his role as one of the founding

During this time the articles of confederation were in motion, these proved to be a failure as they called for a confederacy which placed sovereign power in the hands of the states. It was this anchored bias that had been imbedded into the American will against anything reflecting English parliament that almost lead to Americas ruin. “For the colonists having dealt with the British Crown and the unfair parliament they feared they might create yet another out-of-touch, national government”( Colbert, 92). Thus, came the idea of the Declaration of Independence. It was Thomas Jefferson who was to write this declaration due to him being a Virginian, well educated man, and a better writer than John Adams. “Congress cut off about a quarter of it” (Colbert, 92) due to its remarks about the repeal of the importation of slaves and too personal remarks about the tyranny of King George. Jefferson received a life lesson from Franklin about how “Whenever in one's power, to avoid becoming the draughtsman of papers to be reviewed by a public body”(Colbert, 93). Although Jefferson speaks of an abhorrence of slavery, many historians believe him to be two-faced on the

Author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson was a leading figure, in America's early development he wrote with such influential words in which help shape our government.

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 on his father’s plantation in Shadwell, Virginia. He spent his first years on the plantation helping his father with small tasks, but at age nine he began his formal education which would be the foundation for hi​s ​many great accomplishments. From the beginning of his education to age sixteen, Jefferson spent nine months out of the year with a minister-teacher. And just 16 years before the U.S. declared independence from England, he took classes at the College of William and Mary. There he studied rhetoric, science, philosophy, mathematics, and literature. After two years of studying at the College of William and Mary, Jefferson then went on to learn about legal studies under George Wythe, who also

He had sold much of his private library to the federal government to replace the books burned by the British when they occupied Washington, D.C., during the War of 1812, but his expenses were large. Even as he struggled to make ends meet, Jefferson enjoyed his popularity until becoming ill in early 1826. Barely conscious, Jefferson lapsed into a coma and died, perhaps willfully, after hearing from his doctor the whispered words that he had lived until the Fourth. Indeed, at his death, Jefferson freed no slaves partly because he worried about what would happen to them as free people but mostly because they had been mortgaged to his creditors