The most obvious presentation of the idea of equality in the Declaration of Independence is the part we all know and love (hint: the word "equal" is in the sentence). That sentence has echoed throughout American history.
We now know that the 18th century version of "equality" was super-incomplete, but even bringing up the idea that men were born equal was relatively new, especially in a public document. Jefferson also includes moments that show the colonists' desire to be considered equals of their fellow citizens in Britain, and how that desire has been ignored in recent decades.
Questions About Equality
- Why did Jefferson feel a need to promote the theme of equality in the Declaration of Independence?
- Does Jefferson get his message across? If you were living in England in the 1770s, would you have been convinced that the colonists were your equals? If not, what more could he have done?
- Why do you think Jefferson starts off the Declaration with his major statement about equality? What effect does its placement have on the text as a whole?
- How has the vision of equality that Jefferson presents been reflected or disputed throughout American history?
Chew on This
Jefferson had to say all men were created equal, not just the colonists and the British, because a grand sweeping philosophical statement is way harder to argue with.
Along with that famous line about equality, the theme is in the background throughout the whole Declaration, because Jefferson is accusing the British government of treating the colonists as inferior subjects.