Greg Netto

History 1700-009
9/30/14
Signature assignment
Declaration of Independence Endowed by their Creator
Countries and nation come in to being in many ways, whether it be through war, the
deprivation of civil rights and liberties, or as simple as making a claim. The declaration of
independence out lined the colonies reasons for wanting to found a new nation separated from
the rule of England.
June 11th, 1776 the Continental Congress appointed a committee of 5 individuals to draft
the Declaration of Independence. The committee consisted of John Adams, Roger Sherman,
Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. This document was to be a
statement to the world of the colonies case for independence outlining the grievances and
injustices they had suffered due to King George of Britain. From the time of the committees
appointment, Thomas Jefferson had proven himself powerful with a pen. He had drafted
documents for his colony of Virginia such a declaration of rights as well as its constitution.
Therefore the committee appointed him to write up a draft of the Declaration of Independence. In
the introduction of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jeffersons power of pen along
with the influence of the Enlightenment movement had on him, showed evidently with the
statement We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights.. The Enlightenment Movement was a
humanistic philosophy that liberty and equality were natural human rights. Within this statement
he used the word Creator to highlight the liberty an individual should have on his believe in a

religious higher being, but also that the government would not be directed by religion or a single
God. Already at the time, America had a pluralistic and diverse religious population, ranging
from Roman Catholics, Puritans, Judaism, and even Deism.
In conclusion, Thomas Jefferson wanted to make sure that freedom of religion was
outlined in the Declaration of Independence and that America would not be founded under nor
directed by the belief of a single God or Deity. Although America at the time already had a
diverse religious make up, in his foresight, knew that it would only grow and become more
diverse.
References
"The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription." National Archives and Records
Administration. National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html>.
"Declaration of Independence: A Transcription." National Archives and Records Administration.
National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_history.html>.