The Declaration of Independence was written largely by Jefferson, who had displayed talent as a political philosopher and polemicist in his A Summary View of the Rights of British America, published in 1774. At the request of his fellow committee members he wrote the first draft. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like The authors of the Declaration of Independence, Which Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence?, The Declaration of Independence and more. Who Wrote the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress. The man who wrote the Declaration of Independence is C. Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father and the principal author of this important document. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, during the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Background: He was born on April 13, 1743, in Virginia. Jefferson was educated at the College of William and Mary The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, it was adopted unanimously by the Second Continental Congress, who convened at Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in the colonial capital of Philadelphia. These delegates In the meantime, a committee was appointed to draft a Declaration of Independence, in the event that Lee's motion passed. This five-man committee was comprised of Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. He described the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution as "these fragile objects which bear so great a weight of meaning to our people." The story of the Declaration of Independence as a document can only be a part of the larger history, a history still unfolding, a "weight of meaning" constantly, challenged, strengthened, and redefined. The declaration was signed by 56 different people who represented different states. Most people know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. However, many are not aware of the history behind this most important document. The Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence Delegates from all 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. All were male, white landowners. Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, drafted in June 1776. However, the document was reviewed and edited by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and other members of the drafting committee before being finalized by the Continental Congress. Drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 became the defining event in Thomas Jefferson's life. Drawing on documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights, state and local calls for independence, and his own draft of a Virginia constitution, Jefferson wrote a stunning statement of the colonists' right to rebel against the British government and establish their own based on the This Declaration committee operated from June 11, 1776, until July 5, 1776, the day on which the Declaration was published. The committee was composed of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Note: The following text is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) The spelling and punctuation reflects the original. On July 4, 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from the British Empire when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration was authored by a “Committee of Five”—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman—with Jefferson as the main drafter. But Jefferson himself later admitted While Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, the congressional committee of John Adams, Ben Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston played an important role. The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We now credit Thomas Jefferson with the Declaration’s authorship, but that was not the case on that momentous day, nor for a significant time afterwards. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?, When was the Declaration of Independence passed?, Thomas Jefferson's personal collection of books became the foundation of what? and more. When asked, “Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?” the short answer is Thomas Jefferson. At just 33 years old, Jefferson was chosen by the Second Continental Congress to draft the document. Despite his youth, Jefferson had already earned a reputation as a skilled writer and a deep thinker. The authorship of the Declaration of Independence is usually attributed to Thomas Jefferson, but Jefferson only later gained renown as its author. At the time, he credited the political philosophers John Locke, Montesquieu and a wider struggle for English liberties. Declaration of Independence summary, facts, full text, and AP US History (APUSH) review. Founding document of the United States. July 4, 1776.
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