Tan 1

Lash Tan
Professor Ogbara
English 1A
2 March 2015
Grasping Jeffersons Independence
Thomas Jeffersons Declaration of Independence is one of the most recognized and
influential articles in American history. Written in 1776 while Jefferson served as a delegate to
the Second Continental Congress of the then Thirteen Colonies, this document announces
Americas separation from British rule while explaining the motives behind this decision.
Jefferson argues that the British government under King George III had neglected its American
population and abused its power in a multitude of ways, denying American citizens of basic
human rights. After listing these violations, he asserts Americas intent to form an independent
nation. Through his structure of a logical, valid argument, and his refrain from emotional
indignations Jefferson successfully justifies Americas actions.
Jeffersons construction of his argument makes it nearly impossible to rationalize any
form of opposition to his claims. He begins by laying out the level of human rights he expects
any government to provide its citizens, or unalienable Rights in his words, including the famed
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness (Jefferson). Following this, he lists a magnitude of
violations that the king has imposed on American citizens including unfair laws, unfair
representation, and a complete disregard of their appeals. This list is intended to provide an
undeniable account of how the British government has denied the basic human rights that were
listed toward the beginning, and Jefferson links these two together in his conclusion. By
organizing this document in this manner, Jefferson follows the format of a classic valid

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argument: opening with a broad, irrefutable statement, listing facts relevant to the argument, and
concluding by pertaining these facts to the original statement. While Jefferson may not have
deluded himself into thinking that this argument would sway all of Britain to his way of thinking,
it does allow for any unbiased, reasonable person to consider his viewpoints.
Jeffersons stoicism sets the tone for a balanced argument for secession. Keeping with the
tone of an official government document, Jefferson chooses to display his emotions very
selectively. His only sentimentality appears to be firm indignation through repetition of words
such as suffering and tyrant, and, additionally, the detachment of understanding between the
king and the American people by stating what He the king has done (Jefferson). He does
not question the personal lives nor the decision making of the British government, except when
pertaining directly to the injustices directly linked to America. Instead, his tone is that of an
injured party who can no longer put up with his abuser and has decided that the only course of
action is absolute separation. He is no longer making an attempt to appeal to the emotions of
Britain, but instead laying out the facts of what has transpired. The reader can accept or reject
Jeffersons claims that the British government has been unfair, but it would be difficult at this
point to steer the Americans into a different course of action.
While Jefferson may not be an impartial character in this situation, it would be difficult to
find someone who has had a similar amount of personal experience with the British government
in America and yet remains unbiased in either direction. Still, Jefferson does not let his emotions
overtake his reasoning while writing this declaration and his clear form of argument leads to an
entryway for Americas independence.

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Works Cited
Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence. Readings for Revolutionary Writing.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2013. 181-188. Print.