Understanding the Intent of “All Men Are Created Equal”

Part 2: Jefferson's Intellectual Influences & Actions Leading up to the Declaration

The last post summarized the evidence supporting a plain text interpretation of U.S. Declaration of Independence’s statement that “all men are created equal.” This post will begin diving into the details.

But before doing so, it’s important to acknowledge the contradictions in Jefferson’s private life: as most know, he inherited many enslaved black Americans and sold and traded for others.

And it’s likely he had an intimate relationship with his enslaved servant, Sally Hemings, resulting in children (although certain scholars dispute that conclusion). Setting aside that controversy - which is important, but only to the extent it determines whether he personally lived up to the principle embedded in the nation’s founding document - once one understands Jefferson’s:

(1) primary intellectual influences;

(2) public antislavery actions taken prior to drafting the Declaration;

(3) original Declaration text; and

(4) edits to George Mason’s similar phrasing in the Virginia Declaration of Rights

…No doubt can remain regarding his intent.

And that’s without even discussing the many additional categories of evidence, which this series of posts will also eventually cover in detail. For now, let’s tackle his primary intellectual influences and the events leading up to the Declaration.