A Deep Dive: The Declaration of Independence's Meaning and Legacy

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the Declaration of Independence, examining its historical context, the role of Thomas Jefferson, and its lasting impact. It delves into Jefferson's contributions to the document, highlighting his revisions and the evolution of its core principles. The essay explores the concept of 'all men are created equal,' analyzing its original meaning and subsequent interpretations, including its implications regarding human rights and the hypocrisy of Jefferson's stance on slavery. It discusses Jefferson's complex views on slavery, his belief in its eventual abolition, and how these beliefs intertwined with his racial views. The essay references primary and secondary sources, including the Library of Congress and Monticello websites, to support its arguments and provide a nuanced understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.

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DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Your Name
Date
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Introduction
The Declaration of Independence making was a turning point in Thomas Jefferson's life
in 17761 . The Declaration of Independence underwent many revisions by the Congress, the
committee and Jefferson. Still, Jefferson enjoys a prominent role in writing the critical document
of the American Revolution. The new draft allowed more freedom for people and focused on
their right to choose the government and create a new political society. The earlier draft
conveyed that the colonist had rights to be independent and the government power came from
the people.
The statement “all men are created equal” meant in its historical context that human
rights are not just for the British but natural rights for all.” All men” mean humanity and later it
meant to include everyone, irrespective of their gender, races, and age.
Although Jefferson wrote that “all men are created equal,” he enslaved hundreds of
people during his life. He profited from slavery and was of the notion that black people were
inferior to white people. However, he was an opponent of slavery publicly and saw it as a threat
to the new American nation and against the laws of nature2 (Monticello and The University of
Virginia, 2018). He thought that will eventually if external slave trade was abolished, the
domestic slave population lead to the disappearance of slavery and establish United States3 as a
white man’s republic. Jefferson does come across as a hypocrite for making the statement as his
1 LOC. “Thomas Jefferson.” Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffdec.html
(accessed March 29, 2019).
2 Monticello and The University of Virginia. “Jefferson's Attitudes Toward Slavery.” monticello.org.
https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/jefferson-slavery/jefferson-s-attitudes-toward-slavery/ (accessed
March 29, 2019).
3 The American YAWP. “A New Nation.” americanyawp.com. http://www.americanyawp.com/text/06-a-new-
nation/ (accessed March 29, 2019).

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racial beliefs intertwined with the necessity of abolition of slavery.

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Bibliography
LOC. Thomas Jefferson. 2019. Accessed March 29, 2019.
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffdec.html.
Monticello and The University of Virginia. Jefferson's Attitudes Toward Slavery. 2018. Accessed March
29, 2019. https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/jefferson-slavery/jefferson-s-attitudes-
toward-slavery/.
The American YAWP. A New Nation . 2019. Accessed March 29, 2019.
http://www.americanyawp.com/text/06-a-new-nation/.