Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence for Thomas Jefferson, the pen truly was mightier than the sword.As a boy, Thomas Jefferson was shy and often tongue-tied. He had a habit of always singing or humming to himself, and preferred the company of books to that of most people. Yet this quiet young man's passion for freedom carried him into a very public life. For Thomas Jefferson, the pen truly was mightier than the sword. From his pen flowed some of the world's most famous and influential words: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal The quotation "All men are created equal" is arguably the best-known phrase in any of America's political documents, as the idea it expresses is generally considered the foundation of American democracy. ." For more than two centuries, those simple words from the preamble A clause at the beginning of a constitution or statute explaining the reasons for its enactment and the objectives it seeks to attain. Generally a preamble is a declaration by the legislature of the reasons for the passage of the statute, and it aids in the interpretation of (introduction) to the Declaration of Independence have inspired lovers of freedom everywhere. Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia Albemarle County is a county located in the the Commonwealth of Virginia. Figures from the U.S. Census Bureau give an estimated 2005 population of 92,035. Its county seat is Charlottesville6. . A studious stu·di·ous adj. 1. a. Given to diligent study: a quiet, studious child. b. Conducive to study. 2. young man with freckles freckles Ephilides Brown macules, often exacerbated on sun-exposed zones of the skin surface, which disappear during the winter, and most commonly affecting the fair-skinned, especially of Celtic stock. See Macule. Cf Nevus. and thick red hair, he spent 15 hours a day reading and writing, and 3 hours practicing his violin. He had a way with words--on paper, anyway. Young Tom once hoped to impress a girl he loved with his talk. As he wrote to a friend: "I had dressed up in my own mind such thoughts as occurred to me, in as moving language as I knew how, and expected to have performed in a tolerably creditable cred·it·a·ble adj. 1. Deserving of often limited praise or commendation: The student made a creditable effort on the essay. 2. Worthy of belief: a creditable story. manner." Unfortunately, he failed miserably with the girl. Jefferson soon found a way to use his "moving language" to greater effect. For some time, the American Colonies The American Colony was a Christian utopian society that formed in Jerusalem in 1881, as well as the eponymous modern neighbourhood where they lived. Overview Moved by a series of tragic losses, Chicago natives Anna and Horatio Spafford led a small American contingent in had been buzzing with rebellion against their ruler, King George King George has referred to many kings throughout history. When used, by Americans, without further reference it most often means George III of the United Kingdom, against whom the Whigs of the American Revolution rebelled. III of Great Britain Great Britain, officially United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, constitutional monarchy (2005 est. pop. 60,441,000), 94,226 sq mi (244,044 sq km), on the British Isles, off W Europe. The country is often referred to simply as Britain. . On April 19, 1775, the buzzing turned into battles in Lexington and Concord Noun 1. Lexington and Concord - the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775) Lexington, Concord American Revolution, American Revolutionary War, American War of Independence, War of American Independence - the revolution of the American , Massachusetts. The nation was at war. A few weeks later, the Colony of Virginia The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony in North America that existed briefly during the 16th century, and then continuously from 1607 until the American sent Jefferson to Philadelphia, as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. Jefferson was one of the youngest delegates--and probably the quietest. "During the whole time I sat with him in the Congress," wrote Massachusetts delegate John Adams There have been several notable people called John Adam:
Not everyone in Congress wanted independence from Britain. As the war dragged on, though, more colonists and Congress members talked of making a clean and total break. On April 12, 1776, North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. gave its delegates the go-ahead to vote for independence. Virginia soon did the same. On June 7, Richard Henry Richard Henry is a name that may refer to several people:
For several days, the men hashed out ideas. (Only four took part; Franklin was sick at the time.) Once they decided on a framework, someone had to fill in the gaps and write the proposal. The group chose Jefferson, who was known as a fine writer. Being chosen was no special honor. Writing congressional proposals was a common task. At the time, no one had any idea how important this one would turn out to be. Expressing the American Mind The Declaration of Independence did not spring from Jefferson's mind alone. Jefferson drew on the writings and ideas of others, including English philosopher John Locke, political writer Thomas Paine--whose popular pamphlet pamphlet, short unbound or paper-bound book of from 64 to 96 pages. The pamphlet gained popularity as an instrument of religious or political controversy, giving the author and reader full benefit of freedom of the press. , "Common Sense," argued for independence--and fellow Congress members. Jefferson also reworked some of his own writings, such as A Summary View of the Rights of British America British America See British North America. , which had been published two years earlier. As he wrote to a friend: "This was the object of the Declaration. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments ... but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent An intentional approval of known facts that are offered by another for acceptance; agreement; consent. Express assent is manifest confirmation of a position for approval. [agreement], and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.... [It] was intended to be an expression of the American mind." Even so, it was Jefferson's brilliant, fact-crammed mind and flair for drama that gave the Declaration its poetic punch. He expressed the ideals in a way that people could take to heart--even be willing to die for. Within a matter of days, Jefferson had a draft for the committee. Adams and Franklin made some changes. Then it went to the full Congress, where members made more changes. After the Declaration's stirring opening, Jefferson listed King George's offenses against the American people An American people may be:
Hang Together or Separately The delegates wanted approval of the Declaration to be unanimous (all in agreement). They realized that the Declaration would have an enormous impact on the future. They were waging rebellion against their King, and admitting it in writing. If they won the revolution, all well and good. However, if Britain won, anyone who had signed his name to the document would be branded a traitor TRAITOR, crimes. One guilty of treason. 2. The punishment of a traitor is death. to the Crown, and hanged for that crime. As Benjamin Franklin joked, "We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." By July 2, the delegates had reached a draft acceptable to all. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The name of this country. The United States, now thirty-one in number, are Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, ." Eventually, all 56 delegates signed the document, which ends with the words, "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The Test of Time The Declaration of Independence gave a renewed sense of purpose to the war that Americans had been fighting for 16 months, and would wage for 7 more years. From the time it appeared, the people of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. were able to see in writing the ideals they were defending. The Declaration of Independence's influence far outlasted that war. It gave heart to Abraham Lincoln as he strove strove v. Past tense of strive. strove Verb the past tense of strive strove strive to preserve the Union during the Civil War. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other suffragists adapted it in demanding the right of women to vote. Martin Luther King Jr. used it to inspire African-Americans during their struggle for civil rights. Indeed, the Declaration's call for "unalienable UNALIENABLE. The state of a thing or right which cannot be sold. 2. Things which are not in commerce, as public roads, are in their nature unalienable. rights," including "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," has been admired and adopted worldwide. Thomas Jefferson went on to achieve many other triumphs. Besides serving as the third U.S. President, he was a brilliant inventor, scientist, and architect. Yet he is most remembered for one thing: putting the ideals of freedom into words that have withstood the test of time. "This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments ... but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take." --Thomas Jefferson THINK ABOUT IT 1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? 2. Could America have split from England without it? Explain. Words to Know * self-evident: obvious, unmistakable, * delegate: representative. * unalienable: cannot be taken away. * OBJECTIVES Students should understand * what the Declaration of Independence is, why it was created, and its effect on the American Revolution American Revolution, 1775–83, struggle by which the Thirteen Colonies on the Atlantic seaboard of North America won independence from Great Britain and became the United States. It is also called the American War of Independence. ; * how Thomas Jefferson came to write the Declaration of Independence. * TEACHING STRATEGY Ask students: "What is the Declaration of Independence? What role did it play in America's transition from British Colonies to 'free and independent states'"? * BACKGROUND By the time Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, America and Great Britain had been at war for 15 months. Although the Declaration did not set off the American Revolution, it was a major factor in shaping Americans' attitudes toward the war being fought. * CRITICAL THINKING MAIN IDEA: What important role did Thomas Jefferson play in the creation of the Declaration of Independence? (Jefferson's talent as a writer helped him define the justifications and goals of the American Revolution in eloquent el·o·quent adj. 1. Characterized by persuasive, powerful discourse: an eloquent speaker; an eloquent sermon. 2. and clear language.) MAKING INFERENCES: Why was it important to the delegates that they reach a unanimous agreement on the Declaration? (The delegates were risking their lives by openly calling for a revolt against British rule. They needed to be sure that the justification for a revolution was worth the risk.) * ACTIVITY ROLE-PLAYING: Divide students into small groups. Have each group create three points for a Declaration of Independence, then present them to the class for debate--to be agreed upon Adj. 1. agreed upon - constituted or contracted by stipulation or agreement; "stipulatory obligations" stipulatory noncontroversial, uncontroversial - not likely to arouse controversy unanimously. Which points remain at the end of the debate? What compromises must delegates make to reach agreement? STANDARDS SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8 * Power, authority, and governance: How the Declaration of Independence was created in 1776 to protest the ways the British government had violated American rights. * Individual identity and development: How Thomas Jefferson wrote one of the most important documents in American history.
Your Turn
WORD MATCH
1. assent A. representative
2. delegate B. cannot be
taken away
3. self-evident C. all in agreement
4. unalienable D. acceptance
5. unanimous E. obvious;
unmistakable
1. D 2. A 3. E 4. B 5. C
* Match the clue in the left column with the answer
in the right column.
--11. Benjamin Franklin A. list of King George
Ill's offenses
against the American
Colonies
--12. self-evident B. English philosopher
--13. Massachusetts C. proposed that the
American Colonies
ought to be "free
and independent
states"
--14. Philadelphia D. obvious
--15. Second Continental E. cannot be taken
Congress away
--16. John Locke F. argued the Declaration
of Independence
should
renounce slavery
--17. Declaration of G. where the Declaration
Independence of Independence
was signed
--18. "Common Sense" H. group that supported
rebellion
against Great Britain
--19. unalienable I. where the Revolutionary
War's first
battles took place
--20. Richard Henry Lee J. pamphlet that
criticized British
rule of the American
Colonies
11. F 12. D 13. I 14. G 15. H 16. B 17. A 18. J 19. E 20. C RESOURCES * Freedman freed·man n. A man who has been freed from slavery. freedman Noun pl -men History a man freed from slavery Noun 1. , Russell, Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence (Holiday House, 2000). Grades 5-8. * Marcovitz, Hal, The Declaration of Independence (Mason Crest Publishers, 2003). Grades 5-8. GROLIER WEB SITE KEY TERM * Declaration of Independence WEB SITE * Monticello, the Home of Thomas Jefferson www.monticello.org/jefferson Write it! Write an essay describing what the words "all men are created equal" means to you. Tell how the Declaration of Independence may not have completely lived up to those words. |
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