Foreword
Preface
A Note for Students
Part One: The Document
The Declaration of Independence
Jefferson's Draft with Revisions
Part Two: Introduction
The Enduring Influence of the Declaration
The Declaration as Mythology and History
Historians and the Declaration
Part Three: Some Current Questions
1. What was Jefferson's role in the drafting of the Declaration?
Dumas Malone, Herald of Freedom: 1776, From Jefferson the Virginian
2. Is the philosophy of the Declaration Lockean?
Carl Becker, The Natural Rights Philosophy, From The Declaration of Independence: A Study in the History of Political Ideas
3. Or was Jefferson more influenced by Scottish thinkers?
Garry Wills, Jefferson and the Scottish Enlightenement, From Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence
4. What was the cast of Jefferson's mind?
Joseph J. Ellis, The Spring of '76: Texts and Contexts, From American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
5. How much did the Continental Congress shape the Declaration?
Pauline Maier, Mr. Jefferson and His Editors, From American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence
Making Connections
Suggestions for Further Reading