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The full expression Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence was, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
This is important because the answer lies in the next two clauses. He's describing the characteristics of "Natural Rights," which are granted to us by our Creator by virtue of us being born human. (Natural Rights, incidentally, are beyond the authority of any government to bestow or revoke.) Therefore, the answer is unequivocally "Yes." Women's Natural Rights are universally theirs, just as men's are.
It is a common misunderstanding to answer "No," however. Those who make this mistake quickly point out that in the 18th century, women, slaves, the poor, and others didn't have the right to vote, to own real estate, to have financial accounts, etc. This is true; however, these people are confusing Natural Rights with legal rights. Naturally speaking, yes. All people are created equal, then as now. Legally speaking, unfortunately, people were born into certain stations with inequality built into the system. But no human being is born with a Natural Right to a bank account; after all, if you happen to be born into a society without a banking system, you don't suffer for not having an account.
Why, then, did he specify men? Simply put, language usage changes over time. "Men" was also used inclusively to refer to a group comprised of both sexes, or humanity overall. A likely reason for this is expedience; English doesn't have a good single word to refer to both, and it becomes problematic when continually writing "men and women," "his or hers," "he or she," etc. - especially when writing with a quill and ink.
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In the Declaration of Independence what did Jefferson mean by the phrase 'All men are created equal'?
Jefferson, when writing that "all men are born equal" was not meant for slaves. One needs to remember that black men were only a fraction of a person during this time period
What did Jefferson mean when he said all men were created equal?
Up until that time, and in some cases, even today, people born into royalty or "higher classes" were thought to be better than other people. Jefferson's words meant that all men were equal in stature or station. In other words, there was not a natural "upper class".
What does Jefferson mean when he says destructive of the ends for which it was created?
When Jefferson says the destructive of the ends for which it was created meant that it comes a time whereby a certain illegitimacy ends.
What does it mean when Jefferson said that they endowed by their creator with certain unalienable?
That we are created by God and every man has basic human rights that should be guaranteed to them
What line of the Declaration is debated by historians as to the exact meaning?
Many historians would argue that this is the most important passage in the most important document in American history. Historians also agree that the exact meaning of key words and phrases is open to interpretation. For example, in the first line Jefferson writes, "all men are created equal." What did he mean by "men"? What did he mean by "equal"? And later in the same sentence, what did Jefferson mean by "Life"? Was he against taking a life? was he therefore against warfare? And what did he mean by "Liberty?" Was he against slavery even thought he owned slaves? Indeed, this passage in the Declaration is both powerful and open to interpretation.
In the Declaration of Independence what did Jefferson mean by the phrase 'All men are created equal'?
Jefferson, when writing that "all men are born equal" was not meant for slaves. One needs to remember that black men were only a fraction of a person during this time period
What did Jefferson mean when he said all men were created equal?
Up until that time, and in some cases, even today, people born into royalty or "higher classes" were thought to be better than other people. Jefferson's words meant that all men were equal in stature or station. In other words, there was not a natural "upper class".
What does Jefferson mean when he says destructive of the ends for which it was created?
When Jefferson says the destructive of the ends for which it was created meant that it comes a time whereby a certain illegitimacy ends.
If men created equal does that mean women are created equal?
The quotation uses the term "Man" to mean "Mankind" - or human beings. Yes, women and men are all created equal.
Who was thomas Jefferson reffering to when he said all men created equal?
The quotation "All men are created equal" is arguably the best-known phrase in any of America's political documents.[1][2] Thomas Jefferson first used the phrase in the Declaration of Independence as a rebuttal to the going political theory of the day: the Divine Right of Kings. It was thereafter quoted or incorporated into speeches by a wide array of substantial figures in American political and social life.
What Didi Jefferson mean when he said all men are created equal?
he meant that no person had the right to hold authority over another like we were doing with the slaves and like Britain was doing to the American colonies
What The declaration of independence says all men are created equal endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.'' what does this mean?
What The declaration of independence says all men are created equal endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights.'' what does this mean?
What does the term all men are created equal mean?
No man is innately superior to another.
What did Jefferson mean by pell mell?
He meant that he is that he is the only that only that Jefferson
What does Jefferson mean when he says that purchase gave a wide spread for the blessings for freedom and equal laws?
the Louisiana Purchase resulted in a large increase in the size of the United States.
What does Jefferson mean when he says that the purchase gave a wide spread for the blessings of freedom and equal laws?
the Louisiana Purchase resulted in a large increase in the size of the United States.
What does it mean when Jefferson said that they endowed by their creator with certain unalienable?
That we are created by God and every man has basic human rights that should be guaranteed to them
