Evolution and Process of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, went through several revisions before its final adoption. Here is an outline of the process, key issues, and arguments as they evolved through different drafts:

Initial Draft (Jefferson’s Original)

• Process:
  • Thomas Jefferson was tasked by the Committee of Five (Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman) to write the initial draft in June 1776.
• Content:
  • Grievances: Jefferson listed a series of grievances against King George III, detailing ways in which the rights of the American colonies had been violated. This included issues like taxation without representation, dissolution of colonial legislatures, and the quartering of troops.
  • Rights and Principles: The draft emphasized natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also included a strong critique of the slave trade, although this was later removed.
• Key Issues:
  • Slavery Critique: Jefferson’s draft included a passage condemning the slave trade, attributing it to King George III. This was controversial among Southern delegates.

Revisions by the Committee

• Process:
  • The Committee of Five reviewed Jefferson’s draft, making edits to tone down some of the more inflammatory language and to streamline the document for clarity and effectiveness.
• Changes:
  • Removal of Slavery Critique: The passage about the slave trade was removed to ensure unity among the colonies, as slavery was still an integral part of the economy in the South.

Congressional Review

• Process:
  • After the Committee, the Continental Congress debated the draft from July 2 to July 4, 1776. Over 80 changes were made.
• Content and Changes:
  • Clarification and Modification of Language: Phrases were altered for legal precision or political expediency. For example, “unalienable” became “inalienable” in some versions.
  • Grievances Streamlined: Some grievances were consolidated or reworded to avoid redundancy or to clarify intent.
  • Political Considerations: Phrases that might offend certain factions, like the reference to the British people as “our British brethren,” were toned down.
• Key Arguments:
  • Legitimacy of Revolution: The document needed to justify the act of declaring independence not just to the world but also to potential allies like France.
  • Unity vs. Individual Interests: The need to balance criticisms of British rule without alienating those who might still hope for reconciliation or had economic ties.

Final Version

• Adoption:
  • The final Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776.
• Content:
  • Declaration of Rights: The famous preamble with the assertion of equality and unalienable rights.
  • List of Grievances: A detailed list, now more focused and politically palatable, aimed at justifying the break from British rule.
  • Resolution: A formal declaration of independence, asserting the colonies’ status as free and independent states.
• Key Issues:
  • Global Legitimacy: The need for the document to serve as a foundational legal and philosophical text for the new nation’s claim to sovereignty.
  • Moral and Political Philosophy: Its principles would influence democratic thought globally, setting standards for human rights and governance.

The evolution of the Declaration through these stages reflects a careful crafting of rhetoric and policy to not only declare independence but to do so in a way that would unite the colonies, gain international support, and establish a philosophical basis for the new nation. Each draft addressed different audiences and interests, balancing revolutionary zeal with diplomatic necessity.