Prologue:
On September 30, 1941, a private meeting took place at a Washington art gallery. Thomas Jefferson’s great-great-grandson, along with six other men, gathered to select quotes from Jefferson for the memorial under construction at the Tidal Basin. The discussion inevitably turned to the Declaration’s famous phrase: “All men are created equal.” A segregationist on the panel objected, saying Jefferson viewed White people as superior to Black people and Native Americans, arguing the phrase provided false hope for equality to Black Americans.
Jefferson Randolph Kean, Jefferson’s descendant, agreed, noting that the Declaration did not consider Indians, Negroes, or others beyond British subjects. Despite this acknowledgment, the commissioners kept the iconic phrase to avoid embarrassment, even though the memorial’s quotes doctored Jefferson’s stance to portray him as antislavery. Jefferson actually enslaved 600 Black people during his lifetime.
Jefferson’s phrase spurred debates and inspired at least 120 nations to adopt similar democratic ideals. Though not explicitly mentioning slavery, the Declaration excluded enslaved individuals and Native Americans to appease southern states. The meaning and motivations behind the Declaration remain raw and relevant, as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
President Donald Trump criticized attacks on the founding and issued an executive order focusing on America’s efforts against slavery. While some seek to delve deeper into the nation’s foundation, many complexities about Jefferson’s motivations and actions during the Revolutionary period remain unexamined.
Revolutionary Revelations:
Thomas Jefferson’s role in authoring the Declaration and the impact of his words are scrutinized in this narrative. Jefferson was not solely responsible for the document; many founders and ordinary Americans contributed. However, history often positions Jefferson as the central figure due to his achievements and contradictions.
His legacy prompts every generation to reevaluate and understand Jefferson through their lens. This series explores Jefferson’s actions, from his mountaintop villa of Monticello to Colonial Williamsburg and the Congress in Philadelphia. It uncovers how Jefferson’s great-great-grandson and others selectively edited his words to present him as an abolitionist, without acknowledging his enslavement of over 600 Black individuals.
Chapter One: Jefferson’s Beginnings
In 1774, as tensions with Britain heightened, Jefferson wrote a secret document at Monticello that laid groundwork for revolution. Initially loyal to Britain, Jefferson urged King George III to restrain Parliament to avoid rebellion. His document criticized Parliament’s actions, labeling them as reducing colonists to slavery.
Although Jefferson’s radicalization grew, outwardly he appeared prosperous. He expanded his property, cultivating plantations with enslaved labor. Despite grievances with British policies, Jefferson sought to keep ties with London but increasingly supported colonial unity against unjust taxation and restrictions.
The Call to Action:
Jefferson and others sought a Continental Congress in response to British measures in Massachusetts. Tensions escalated, prompting Jefferson’s transition from loyal British subject to revolutionary. His document, “A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” challenged Parliament’s authority and argued for free trade.
Despite health struggles, Jefferson’s resolve strengthened. He joined the Continental Congress and helped draft a declaration stating the necessity to take up arms. This moment marked a decisive shift, making the Declaration of Independence almost inevitable.
As Jefferson’s radicalism grew, he faced financial difficulties and blamed British policies. Yet, he still benefited from colonial systems of enslavement, highlighting his contradictions on human liberty.
Jefferson supported armed resistance as the British crackdown intensified. As conflicts unfolded, the seeds of revolution took root, leading to intense battles and shaping America’s identity.