The Declaration of Independence and slavery video

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, and it was the main topic of discussion at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• The phrase "all men are created equal" is considered to be the most quoted phrase from the Declaration of Independence.
• In the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson listed "domestic insurrections" as one of the grievances against King George the third.
• Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence included a grievance against King George the third, outlining the issue of slavery.

Jefferson’s Grievance

• Jefferson blamed King George the third for the slave trade's existence, arguing that he forced slaves into a miserable existence, even death, during transit to the colonies.
• The grievance against the King's role in slavery in Jefferson’s draft accused him of suppressing any legislative attempts to stop the slave trade and supporting the use of slaves in the British Army for "their freedom".
• The statement also asserted that the King deliberately placed slaves among colonists to incite rebellion, while using the British Army to eradicate Native Americans.

Deleting the Grievance

• To avoid a debate on slavery, Southern delegates and some Northern delegates removed the grievance regarding the King's role in the slave trade from the Declaration of Independence.

The South and Slavery

• Southerners heavily relied on slaves for their economy and agricultural production. The South's economy would have collapsed without slave labor for crops such as tobacco, rice, and indigo.
• The North's economy benefited from the slave trade as well. Northern shipbuilders profited from the transportation of crops from the south to overseas markets.

Consequences of Removing the Grievance

• The grievance was ultimately removed from the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
• Jefferson later confirmed the removal of the grievance stating that it was removed because of pressure from delegates from South Carolina, Georgia, and the North.
• John Adams believed the grievance likely would have been omitted and considered its exclusion to be a result of pressure from Southern delegates.
• The removal of the grievance highlights the economic and political factors contributing to the acceptance of slavery in the early stages of the United States.

Test your knowledge on the Declaration of Independence, its significance, and the grievances listed by Thomas Jefferson against King George III. This quiz covers important historical phrases and Jefferson's perspective on slavery. See how well you understand this cornerstone document of American history!