The Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; and they are endowed by their creator with inherent and inalienable 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 abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundations on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." -- The Declaration of Independence.

In the summer of 1776 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and presented it to the Second Continental Congress. The document represents, perhaps, the boldest step in American history: Americans had committed themselves to a war against the world’s mightiest country, a war for which they were not prepared and could expect no help from an outside power. In addition, France and Spain, seeking to recover lost territories in North America, might offer to join with Britain to help subdue the colonies. The delegates at the Congress no doubt realized that should the revolution fail, they would likely be executed as traitors. Still, Jefferson records that "no gentleman argued against the policy or the right of separation from Britain."

Thomas Jefferson was born in 1743 near Charlottesville, Virginia. He studied law at the College of William and Mary and became, in 1769, a member of the Virginia General Assembly. During the Confederation government he served as Ambassador to France where, via correspondence with James Madison, he was instrumental in framing the Bill of Rights. He was the United States’ first Secretary of State under the Constitution, and served as President from 1801 to 1809.

Jefferson possessed a keen mind and a sharp pen, although he had a touch of shyness and disliked oratory. A student of John Locke, he is often described as America’s national political philosopher. Although he owned slaves, he recognized slavery’s evil and while governor of Virginia tried to abolish it. "When a long train of abuses and usurpations evince a design to reduce people under absolute despotism," he wrote in the Declaration, "it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government."