What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis

Summary

The script delves into the creation of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the contributions of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. It reveals the initial reluctance to include Jefferson's accusation of King George III's role in the slave trade, which was ultimately removed. The summary questions the paradox of fighting for liberty while maintaining a system of slavery, a contradiction that later led to the Civil War.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Declaration of Independence is a well-known document stating that 'all men are created equal' with rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• ⏳ The Continental Congress approved the resolution of independence on July 2, 1776, and adopted the Declaration two days later.
• 🎉 July 4th is celebrated as America's Independence Day, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
• 👤 Thomas Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration, but he was one of five men tasked with drafting it, including Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.
• 📝 Jefferson's writing was influenced by other writers, and some of his phrases were borrowed and slightly modified.
• 🤝 Benjamin Franklin and John Adams provided suggestions to improve Jefferson's draft.
• 🔍 The full Congress made minor word changes and one significant deletion from Jefferson's original draft.
• ❌ A charge against King George III regarding the slave trade was removed from the Declaration as it was deemed untrue and inappropriate for the founding document.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of how the founding fathers could advocate for liberty and equality while also supporting a system of slavery.
• 🔥 The issue of slavery would later lead to the American Civil War and remains a topic of discussion and reflection today.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in June 1776?

In June 1776, the Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia to discuss American independence.

When was the resolution of independence approved?

The resolution of independence was approved on July 2, 1776.

Who is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration of Independence.

Why was Thomas Jefferson chosen to join the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson was chosen to join the committee because they needed a man from the influential Virginia Delegation, and John Adams believed Jefferson was a better writer.

Which other notable figures were initially part of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence?

Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were the other members of the committee tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence.

What was one of the significant changes made to Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence?

One significant change was the deletion of a section that accused King George III of being responsible for the slave trade and preventing America from ending slavery.

Why was the reference to slavery removed from the Declaration of Independence?

The reference to slavery was removed because it was not only untrue, but Congress also wanted no mention of slavery in the nation's founding document.

What is the significance of the phrase 'All men are created equal' in the context of the Declaration of Independence?

The phrase 'All men are created equal' signifies the belief in the inherent equality and the natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, despite the fact that the institution of slavery existed at the time.

How did Thomas Jefferson feel about the changes made to his draft by the Continental Congress?

Thomas Jefferson was very unhappy and fumed as his words were picked over by the Continental Congress during the review process.

What is the historical irony presented by the fact that the Declaration of Independence, a document celebrating liberty and equality, was signed by men who owned slaves?

The historical irony lies in the contradiction between the principles of liberty and equality espoused in the Declaration and the reality of slavery, which was a system where some people owned others, including by some of the signatories.

What lasting question does the script raise about the founding of America?

The script raises the question of how the founding fathers, who were about to sign a document celebrating liberty and equality, could accept a system in which some people owned others.

Outlines

00:00

📜 The Declaration of Independence's Complex Origins

This paragraph delves into the historical context of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the events leading up to its creation in 1776. It mentions the initial shots fired at Lexington and Concord, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and the subsequent approval of the resolution of independence. The narrative then shifts to the drafting process, emphasizing that while Thomas Jefferson is often credited with writing the document, he was one of five men tasked with this responsibility. John Adams' recommendation for Jefferson's inclusion due to his superior writing skills is also noted. The paragraph concludes by touching upon the borrowing of phrases from other writers and the significant edits made by Congress, including the removal of a charge against King George III regarding the slave trade, which was deemed inappropriate for the founding document.

Keywords

💡Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a document adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain would regard themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states, no longer under British rule. It is a fundamental document in American history, marking the birth of the United States. In the video, it is mentioned as the document largely written by Thomas Jefferson, which outlines the reasons for American independence and is celebrated as America's birthday.

💡Continental Congress

The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the thirteen American colonies that became the United States, which met from 1774 to 1789. It served as the chief legislative and executive body during most of the American Revolution. In the video, it is highlighted as the meeting place where the resolution of independence was approved and where the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

💡Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He later became the third President of the United States. In the video, Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration, but it is also noted that he was one of five men initially tasked with creating the document and that his draft was edited by others.

💡John Adams

John Adams was a Founding Father, a political theorist, and the second President of the United States. In the video, Adams is mentioned as one of the five men initially chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence and as the person who suggested that Thomas Jefferson should join the committee due to his superior writing skills.

💡Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a polymath who was a leading writer, printer, political philosopher, politician, Freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, and diplomat. In the video, Franklin is noted as one of the five men involved in the drafting of the Declaration and as someone who offered suggestions to improve Jefferson's draft.

💡Slave Trade

The slave trade refers to the historical slave trade that operated from the late 16th to the late 19th century, in which millions of Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas. In the video, it is mentioned that Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration included a charge against King George III for promoting the slave trade, but this was removed by Congress, reflecting the complex and contradictory stance on slavery among the founding figures.

💡Lexington and Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The encounters marked the outbreak of armed conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in the mainland of British America. In the video, the shots fired at Lexington and Concord are mentioned as the beginning of the war against England.

💡Robert Livingston

Robert Livingston was an American lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a member of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. In the video, Livingston is listed as one of the original members of the committee tasked with creating the document.

💡Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman was an early American lawyer and politician, who also became a Founding Father of the United States. He signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Association, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. In the video, Sherman is mentioned as one of the five men who were initially given the job to draft the Declaration.

💡Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865, between the North (the Union) and the South (the Confederacy). The war began primarily due to issues related to slavery. In the video, the Civil War is mentioned as a conflict that was rooted in the unresolved question of slavery, which was also a contentious issue during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

💡Liberty and Equality

Liberty and equality are political principles and values that underpin the American political system. Liberty refers to the freedom from external control or interference, while equality refers to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. In the video, these concepts are central to the discussion of the Declaration of Independence and the contradictions of a nation founded on these principles while also allowing slavery.

Highlights

The Declaration of Independence is well-known for its assertion that 'all men are created equal'.

In June 1776, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to discuss American independence.

The resolution of independence was approved on July 2, 1776, marking America's freedom.

John Adams initially thought July 2 would be celebrated as America's birthday.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and is now celebrated as America's birthday.

Thomas Jefferson is credited with writing the Declaration, but five men were initially tasked with the job.

Robert Livingston, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were the first four appointed to draft the Declaration.

John Adams suggested Thomas Jefferson join the drafting committee due to his writing skills and representation of Virginia.

Jefferson's memorable phrases in the Declaration were influenced by other writers.

Benjamin Franklin and John Adams made suggestions to improve Jefferson's draft.

The full Congress made minor word changes and one significant deletion in the Declaration.

The original draft accused King George III of promoting the slave trade, a claim that was removed.

The Congress wanted no mention of slavery in the founding document, despite the ideals of liberty and equality.

The contradiction between the ideals of the Declaration and the existence of slavery is highlighted.

The issue of slavery would later lead to the American Civil War.

The question of how the founding fathers could accept a system of slavery while promoting liberty is still relevant today.

Transcripts

"All men are created equal

and they are endowed with the rights to

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Not so fast, Mr. Jefferson!

These words from the Declaration of Independence,

and the facts behind them, are well known.

In June of 1776,

a little more than a year after the war against England began

with the shots fired at Lexington and Concord,

the Continental Congress was meeting in Philadelphia

to discuss American independence.

After long debates, a resolution of independence

was approved on July 2, 1776.

America was free!

And men like John Adams thought we would celebrate that date forever.

But it was two days later that the gentlemen in Congress

voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence,

largely written by Thomas Jefferson,

offering all the reasons why the country should be free.

More than 235 years later,

we celebrate that day as America's birthday.

But there are some pieces of the story you may not know.

First of all, Thomas Jefferson gets the credit

for writing the Declaration,

but five men had been given the job

to come up with a document explaining why

America should be independent:

Robert Livingston,

Roger Sherman,

Benjamin Franklin and

John Adams were all named first.

And it was Adams who suggested that the young,

and little known, Thomas Jefferson join them

because they needed a man from the influential Virginia Delegation,

and Adams thought Jefferson was a much better writer than he was.

Second, though Jefferson never used footnotes,

or credited his sources,

some of his memorable words and phrases were borrowed

from other writers and slightly tweaked.

Then, Franklin and Adams offered a few suggestions.

But the most important change came after the Declaration

was turned over to the full Congress.

For two days, a very unhappy Thomas Jefferson

sat and fumed while his words were picked over.

In the end, the Congress made a few, minor word changes,

and one big deletion.

In the long list of charges that Jefferson made

against the King of England,

the author of the Declaration had included the idea

that George the Third was responsible for the slave trade,

and was preventing America from ending slavery.

That was not only untrue,

but Congress wanted no mention of slavery

in the nation's founding document.

The reference was cut out

before the Declaration was approved and sent to the printer.

But it leaves open the hard question:

How could the men,

who were about to sign a document,

celebrating liberty and equality,

accept a system in which some people owned others?

It is a question that

would eventually bring the nation to civil war

and one we can still ask today.