Secrets of the Declaration of Independence

In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson faced the writing assignment of his life. The 33-year-old from Virginia had been chosen to craft a document formally declaring that the 13 American Colonies were breaking away from Great Britain. At the time, the colonies had been battling Britain in the American Revolution (1775-83) for more than a year. That spring, delegates from every colony had gathered at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia and organized a committee to draft what would become the Declaration of Independence. The committee, which included John Adams of Massachusetts and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, picked Jefferson to write the first draft. After much editing and debate, the document’s pronouncements about liberty and equality would echo around the world. But 250 years later, much about it is still misunderstood. Here are six things you may not know.

In June 1776, Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old. The Virginian had been chosen to write a document formally declaring that the 13 American Colonies were breaking away from Great Britain. The American Revolution (1775-83) had been going on for more than a year. And that spring, delegates from every colony had assembled in Philadelphia. The gathering was known as the Second Continental Congress. During the meeting, a committee was organized to draft what would become the Declaration of Independence. Members of the committee included John Adams of Massachusetts and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania. The committee picked Jefferson to write the first draft. After much editing and debate, the document’s statements about liberty and equality would echo around the world. But 250 years later, much about it is still misunderstood. Here are six things you may not know.

Months before the 56 delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration, many American Colonies were crafting their own declarations of independence. They felt the British were using the colonies as a piggy bank, and they’d had enough.

Britain, deeply in debt after the Seven Years’ War with France
(1756-63), began taxing the American Colonies on goods including imported sugar, newspapers, and tea. The outraged colonists argued that only their representative assemblies should be able to tax them, and responded with riots and protests like the Boston Tea Party. The British countered with a military crackdown, and by the spring of 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War had rung out in Massachusetts.

As the war escalated, many local governments began asserting their independence from the Crown. Rhode Island became the first colony to do so, on May 4, 1776. Virginia—whose declaration would strongly influence Jefferson’s—soon followed. By the time the Continental Congress voted to sever ties with Britain, some 90 local declarations of independence had already been made. Denver Brunsman, a historian at George Washington University, says these acts “helped to build momentum for Congress to declare independence.”

Months before the 56 delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration, many American Colonies were writing their own declarations of independence. They felt the British were using the colonies as a piggy bank. They were frustrated.

Britain was in debt after the Seven Years’ War with France (1756-63). To raise funds, Britain began taxing the American Colonies on imported goods such as sugar, newspapers, and tea. The angry colonists argued that taxes could only be imposed by representative assemblies. Riots and protests like the Boston Tea Party broke out. The British countered with a military crackdown. By the spring of 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War had rung out in Massachusetts.

As the war intensified, many local governments began declaring their independence from the Crown. Rhode Island became the first colony to do so, on May 4, 1776. Virginia soon followed. (Virginia’s version inspired Thomas Jefferson.) By the time the Continental Congress voted to sever ties with Britain, some 90 local declarations of independence had already been made. Denver Brunsman, a historian at George Washington University, says these acts “helped to build momentum for Congress to declare independence.”

As debates over independence roiled the Continental Congress into the summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson retreated to a rented second-story apartment in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration.

Why had the committee in charge of crafting the document selected Jefferson to write the first draft? According to John Adams, he was known as an eloquent writer and had few political enemies among his peers. To present Britain with a united front, the Continental Congress sought a unanimous vote from all 13 colonies to ratify the Declaration.

But Jefferson’s first draft made that impossible. In one passage, he attacked King George III for perpetuating the slave trade, calling it “an assemblage of horrors.” Delegates from South Carolina and Georgia, where slavery was central to their economies, strongly objected to the slavery clause. So did some delegates from the Northern colonies, whose merchants also profited from the slave trade. Jefferson himself enslaved about 100 people at the time; by many estimates, one-third of the Declaration’s signers were slaveholders.

The Continental Congress ultimately cut the section as “an act of political expedience,” says Carol Faulkner, a history professor at Syracuse University. In the interest of securing the necessary votes to establish a new nation, delegates removed any mention of the word slavery from the Declaration. Left unresolved in America’s founding document, the slavery question would become the defining issue of the Civil War (1861-65).

In the summer of 1776, heated debates over independence continued at the Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson retreated to a rented second-story apartment in Philadelphia to draft the Declaration.

According to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson was selected to write the first draft because he was known as an eloquent writer and had few political enemies among his peers. The Continental Congress wanted to present Britain with a united front. They needed a unanimous vote from all 13 colonies to ratify the Declaration.

But Jefferson’s first draft made that impossible. In one passage, he attacked King George III for perpetuating the slave trade. He called it “an assemblage of horrors.” Delegates from South Carolina and Georgia strongly objected to the slavery clause because slavery was central to their economies. Delegates from some Northern colonies also objected because their merchants also profited from the slave trade. Jefferson himself enslaved about 100 people at the time. By many estimates, one-third of the Declaration’s signers were slaveholders.

The Continental Congress ultimately cut the section as “an act of political expedience,” says Carol Faulkner, a history professor at Syracuse University. The delegates removed any mention of the word slavery from the Declaration to secure the necessary votes to establish a new nation. Left unresolved in America’s founding document, the slavery question would become the defining issue of the Civil War (1861-65).

The Declaration served as “a moral and legal justification” for the Revolution, wrote Jefferson scholar Carl Becker. But for many loyalists to the Crown, belief in British rule never wavered. Four months after the Declaration was adopted, a rebuttal circulated among supporters of King George III, largely within New York. Called a “Declaration of Dependence,” it was signed by more than 500 loyalists, among them merchants, freed slaves, and several prominent New York families, who reiterated their faith in and devotion to the king. The loyalists called the dissolution of British rule in America “the most unnatural, unprovoked Rebellion.”

Colonists were “incredibly divided over the question of independence,” Brunsman says. Historians estimate that between a fifth and a third of Americans were loyalists. And not every patriot who served in the Continental Army supported the new United States. Some simply wanted to protect their farms or property from invading British troops. All told, an estimated 25,000 American colonists also fought on behalf of the British, and they were ostracized for doing so.

“The divided nature of American society made it dangerous to be a loyalist,” Brunsman says. Loyalists saw their homes looted by mobs and their property confiscated, and they suffered brutal assaults like public whipping or tar and feathering.

The Declaration served as “a moral and legal justification” for the Revolution, wrote Jefferson scholar Carl Becker. But for many loyalists to the Crown, belief in British rule never wavered. Four months after the Declaration was adopted, supporters of King George III, largely within New York, circulated a response. It was called a “Declaration of Dependence.” More than 500 loyalists, including merchants, freed slaves, and several prominent New York families, signed the document. They restated their faith in and devotion to the king. The loyalists called the dissolution of British rule in America “the most unnatural, unprovoked Rebellion.”

Colonists were “incredibly divided over the question of independence,” Brunsman says. Historians estimate that between a fifth and a third of Americans were loyalists. Not everyone who served in the Continental Army supported the new United States. Some simply wanted to protect their farms or property from invading British troops. All told, an estimated 25,000 American colonists also fought on side of the British. They were ostracized or snubbed for doing so.

“The divided nature of American society made it dangerous to be a loyalist,” Brunsman says. Loyalists saw their homes looted by mobs and their property taken. They suffered brutal assaults like public whipping
or tar and feathering.

Should we celebrate Independence Day on July 2? That’s the date in 1776 that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence, passing the Lee Resolution, also known as the “Resolution for Independence.” Introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, the act resolved that the 13 colonies were “free and independent States . . . absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown.”

Passage of the Lee Resolution on July 2 established the legal and political creation of an independent United States, while the July 4 approval of the Declaration merely explained the case for independence to the public. (But the first public reading of the Declaration didn’t happen until July 8, in Philadelphia, and most delegates didn’t sign the document until August 2.)

Should we celebrate Independence Day on July 2? That’s the date in 1776 that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. They passed the Lee Resolution, also known as the “Resolution for Independence.” Introduced by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, the act resolved that the 13 colonies were “free and independent States . . . absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown.”

Passage of the Lee Resolution on July 2 established the legal and political creation of an independent United States. The July 4 approval of the Declaration merely explained the case for independence to the public. (But the first public reading of the Declaration didn’t happen until July 8, in Philadelphia. Most delegates didn’t sign the document until August 2.)

John Adams believed July 2 was the true Independence Day. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, he wrote: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”

According to the late American Revolution scholar Pauline Maier, July 4 ultimately became Independence Day by accident, in 1777.

“No member of Congress thought of marking the anniversary of independence at all until July 3, when it was too late to honor July 2,” she wrote.

The rest is history.

John Adams believed July 2 was the true Independence Day. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, he wrote: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”

According to the late American Revolution scholar Pauline Maier, July 4 ultimately became Independence Day by accident, in 1777.

“No member of Congress thought of marking the anniversary of independence at all until July 3, when it was too late to honor July 2,” she wrote.

The rest is history.

While it’s a central part of our national identity today, Americans largely forgot about the Declaration of Independence for about a decade after its passage. Why? The Revolutionary War became the center of American life for eight brutal years. And even when the war ended, Americans cared more about local affairs and the powers of their own state governments than the role of a new national government.

A decade later, the emergence of America’s first political parties revived interest in the Declaration. In the 1790s, an intense political rivalry emerged between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, believed in a strong central government. The Democratic-Republicans, backed by Jefferson and James Madison, thought that more power should reside with state governments. They promoted Jefferson as the Declaration’s author and argued that the document’s intention wasn’t to establish a new central government to replace British rule, but to declare the 13 colonies “free and independent states.”

While it’s a central part of our national identity today, Americans largely forgot about the Declaration of Independence for about a decade after its passage. Why? The Revolutionary War became the center of American life for eight brutal years. When the war ended, Americans cared more about local affairs. They were concerned with the powers of their own state governments rather than the role of a new national government.

A decade later, the beginning of America’s first political parties renewed interest in the Declaration. In the 1790s, an intense political rivalry emerged between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, believed in a strong central government. The Democratic-Republicans, backed by Jefferson and James Madison, thought that more power should stay with state governments. Jefferson was promoted as the Declaration’s author. They argued that the document’s intention wasn’t to establish a new central government to replace British rule, but rather to declare the 13 colonies “free and independent states.”

The War of 1812 (1812-1815) sparked another revival of interest in the Declaration. The three-year war against the British ended in a stalemate and a return to the status quo, but some Americans considered it a victory. To many, the conflict was a second war of independence, demonstrating the new nation’s ability to stand up to one of the great powers of the world. The victory reaffirmed Americans’ sense of national sovereignty and freedom—ideas at the core of the Declaration of Independence.

The War of 1812 (1812-1815) sparked another revival of interest in the Declaration. The three-year war against the British ended in a stalemate with nothing changing. But some Americans considered it a victory. To many, the conflict was a second war of independence. It  demonstrated the new nation’s ability to stand up to one of the great powers of the world. The victory reaffirmed Americans’ sense of national sovereignty and freedom—ideas at the core of the Declaration of Independence.

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration, has reverberated far beyond the cause of 1776. In the 19th century, many abolitionists invoked its ideals—most famously Frederick Douglass, who pointed out its contradictions in his famous 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine,” Douglass said. “You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

Four years earlier, the first women’s rights convention had taken place in Seneca Falls, New York. It launched the women’s suffrage movement with a Declaration of Sentiments stating “all men and women are created equal.”

Outside the U.S., the Declaration of Independence “set off an age of declarations, inspiring movements to assert individual rights and freedoms,” Faulkner says.

Perhaps the most direct example was in France. The Marquis de Lafayette, who fought alongside the colonists in the American Revolution, brought lessons from America to the French Revolution of 1789. France’s own Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which Lafayette initially drafted (with Thomas Jefferson’s assistance), was modeled after the American document.

In the early 19th century, revolutionaries in Haiti published their own declaration of independence, as did many Latin American nations breaking free from the colonial rule of Spain and Portugal. As Jefferson had predicted in 1795, “this ball of liberty, I believe most piously, is now so well in motion that it will roll round the globe.”

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration, has reverberated far beyond the cause of 1776. In the 19th century, many abolitionists invoked its ideals. Frederick Douglass famously pointed out its contradictions in his famous 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine,” Douglass said. “You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

Four years earlier, the first women’s rights convention had taken place in Seneca Falls, New York. It launched the women’s suffrage movement with a Declaration of Sentiments. It stated “all men and women are created equal.”

Outside the U.S., the Declaration of Independence “set off an age of declarations, inspiring movements to assert individual rights and freedoms,” Faulkner says.

Perhaps the most direct example was in France. Marquis de Lafayette, who fought alongside the colonists in the American Revolution, brought lessons from America to the French Revolution of 1789. France’s own Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which Lafayette initially drafted (with Thomas Jefferson’s assistance), was modeled after the American document.

In the early 19th century, revolutionaries in Haiti published their own declaration of independence. Many Latin American nations followed with their own versions, breaking free from the colonial rule of Spain and Portugal. As Jefferson had predicted in 1795, “this ball of liberty, I believe most piously, is now so well in motion that it will roll round the globe.”