Thomas Jefferson

I think that Thomas Jefferson is the person who defined America the most out of the four authors given. All of these authors had the same goal for the future of America, but I think Thomas Jefferson did more to really define America. Even in the first sentence of the reading it states everything that Thomas Jefferson did in his life, and what he did in each of them made an impact on America. Not only did he write our Declaration of Independence he was also the 3^rd President of the United States, first secretary of state, minister to France, governor of Virginia, and congressman (pg. 338). Thomas Jefferson gave a lot to this country and really kept what the people would want in mind when writing the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson strived for a life where all men would be created equal, and where America would be a free land for everyone. Thomas Jefferson was the person who actually wrote what our country is based off of today, and defined America for what it is. Some of the things Americans take for granted we would not have if it were not for the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We gained rights that were not allowed in Britain such as, the right to bear arms, freedom of religion and freedom of speech. If Thomas Jefferson did not want freedom of religion we would all most likely be Puritans right now, and there would not be as much diversity. I think America would be a much different place if it were not for these rights and others that we receive as American citizens. Even back in the 17 and 1800’s Thomas Jefferson did not want slavery, and brought up the idea to make it illegal in the Declaration of Independence. I think that our country would be even more advanced than what it is today if things like these were not taken out. Thomas Jefferson just wanted the best for America’s future, and wanted to try to have these laws followed for many years to come. In my opinion Thomas Jefferson had the more common person in mind when he was making the Declaration of Independence, he said that every man has a right to each of these things, and no one can say differently.