Through the Eyes of a Virginia Planter and Slaveholder
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Through the eyes of a Virginia Planter and slaveholder
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in the year 1776 and it is still one of the most esteemed documents declaring human freedom to this day. The ideals that were written are still very much alive in our hearts and minds and will continue to live throughout generations to come. The Declaration of Independence clearly stated that “all men are created equal” (2010) and because of the time that this was written in Jefferson was referring to Caucasian men. Women during that time had no rights and were not considered equals in society and African American’s were kept as slaves and they had not right as well. The white man who was wealthy and owned land was who Jefferson was referring to with that statement, he was basically stating that they were all afforded the same opportunities to make a better life and prosper. He was also saying that we will all be judged the same by God, even if we have different material possessions it will not matter and we will be judged accordingly but the same across the board. Jefferson also stated that “we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (2010) with this statement he was saying that God has given us all these rights and that everyone deserves to live life, and be happy. Jefferson’s intention by writing the Declaration of Independence was to rally against the British and establish their own government based upon the before mentioned principles. The declaration of Independence was the gateway to the abolishment movement and really was the beginning of the end of slavery 100 years later.
The Articles of Confederation was drafted by John Dickinson in 1781 because there was a calling for a permanent government. The Articles made it possible for each state to have sovereignty and be self-governing. Congress was given some power but
Through the eyes of a Virginia Planter and slaveholder
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in the year 1776 and it is still one of the most esteemed documents declaring human freedom to this day. The ideals that were written are still very much alive in our hearts and minds and will continue to live throughout generations to come. The Declaration of Independence clearly stated that “all men are created equal” (2010) and because of the time that this was written in Jefferson was referring to Caucasian men. Women during that time had no rights and were not considered equals in society and African American’s were kept as slaves and they had not right as well. The white man who was wealthy and owned land was who Jefferson was referring to with that statement, he was basically stating that they were all afforded the same opportunities to make a better life and prosper. He was also saying that we will all be judged the same by God, even if we have different material possessions it will not matter and we will be judged accordingly but the same across the board. Jefferson also stated that “we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (2010) with this statement he was saying that God has given us all these rights and that everyone deserves to live life, and be happy. Jefferson’s intention by writing the Declaration of Independence was to rally against the British and establish their own government based upon the before mentioned principles. The declaration of Independence was the gateway to the abolishment movement and really was the beginning of the end of slavery 100 years later.
The Articles of Confederation was drafted by John Dickinson in 1781 because there was a calling for a permanent government. The Articles made it possible for each state to have sovereignty and be self-governing. Congress was given some power but
References: Brinkley, A. (2007). American history: a survey, 12e. Retrieved on January 15, 2010, from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader.aspx.