Jefferson wrote, “We believe all men are created equal that they are endowed by

Question

Jefferson wrote, “We believe 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.” What drove Jefferson and the Second Continental Congress to pen such a statement? Consider the following questions as you respond:

How did this break from past interpretations of government and its role?

How did under-represented groups, such as American Indians, slaves, and women, interpret these words?

In what ways did their interpretation of “all men” differ from how it was interpreted at different points in U.S. history (such as Jacksonian democracy, the experience of Native Americans, and the period of manifest destiny)?

In what ways did their interpretation of “all men” differ from how it is interpreted today?

Explanation / Answer

The objective of the declaration, in Jefferson's own words, was to justify American independence in terms as plain and full as to command their assent. As an expression of the philosophy of the natural rights of people in an age when absolute monarchs ruled throughout the world, it had an immense impact in America and in Europe as well.

Jefferson did not originate the concept of government by consent and the belief that all people are endowed with certain rights that government cannot infringe upon. These ideas came from European philosophers, most notably 17th century British philosopher John Locke.

However, in the declaration they were given a practical application for the first time. Furthermore, in Jefferson's words they achieved their most eloquent expression. These truths are known to be self-evident, that 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 to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. The bands that had connected America with Great Britain were broken. Within a few days the declaration was being read to people throughout the colonies, and it was received with great rejoicing. The declaration held the essence of Jefferson's ideals, and he spent the rest of his life applying its principles to the new American government.

Through the many revisions made by Jefferson, the committee, and then by Congress, Jefferson retained his prominent role in writing the defining document of the American Revolution and, indeed, of the United States. Jefferson was critical of changes to the document, particularly the removal of a long paragraph that attributed responsibility of the slave trade to British King George III. Jefferson was justly proud of his role in writing the Declaration of Independence and skillfully defended his authorship of this hallowed document.

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