Thomas Jefferson

The Writings of Thomas Jefferson

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...” ( Andrew,William. Ed., The Literature of the American South, W.W. Norton & Company, 1998. Citation in body of text: (Andrew 37) These are great words to a great people for a great purpose. I believe this is from a writer that could say so much with so few words that it would and, in fact did, have the greatest impact on future generations second only to the Bible. The significance of this document can be brought to bear as seen through the generations from its conception to this country electing its first African American President. Thomas Jefferson is best remembered as a great President and as the author of the Declaration of Independence. (World Book Encyclopedia, 1995, vol. J, pg 76) So the question remains, who is the real Thomas Jefferson, slave owner and racist or the poster boy for the anti-slavery movement? Let’s break down his writings and see if we can tell.

Thomas Jefferson was asked to head up a committee with the likes of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin mainly because of his way with words. Thomas Jefferson over his lifetime wrote more than 20,000 letters according to Jefferson scholars. (Kirn, Walter. “Thomas Jefferson: Philosopher-President: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Thomas Jefferson.” Time Magazine 05 July 2004: pg 1) The Congress wanted a document that explained their reasons for severing ties with England. They wanted it to express their thoughts and all the grievances they had against King George and the English empire. This document expressed all this and more.

Our government, our way of life uses the Declaration of Independence as a foundation for the ideal of the “American Dream”. This one document has meant so much too so many people that an entire nation as...