Jefferson and Rousseau Influences

doubting Thomas Jefferson considers himself a contri moreoveror to the Age of Enlightenment. Through many of his writings he expands on the philosophies of the great European writers of that era Rousseau, Locke, Hume, and Leibniz. In The resolving power of Independence, Jefferson directly adopts several themes found in the work of cut writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Rousseaus The Origin of Civil Society, provides a foundation for roughly of Jeffersons ideas in The solving of Independence. In the opening of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson lays discover several main themes that reflect Rousseaus concepts. Jefferson borrows from Rousseaus persuasion on equality and exemption when writing, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are enable by their Creator with certain inalienable well(p)s (Jefferson 80).Rousseau speaks of equality by disproving the philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and Hugo Grotius. These men support the concept th at compassionate race refers only to a small, select class of people the ruling class (Rousseau 60). Rousseau thinks that the philosophies of these men lack justification and that All men are born free, and everywhere he is in chains (Rousseau 59). All men are equal only until they do up their freedom and equality in exchange for comforts and security measure in their lives. In other words, Rousseau says man is born free, but because of high society man become less and less free. The government, and its laws bind the people down, but the people gain benefits from the government.Jefferson sees to Rousseau in justifying colonial claims to independence. Jefferson writes, Whenever any Form of governing body becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it (Jefferson 80). This reflects Rousseaus view that, the only foundation left for legitimate permission in human societies is Agreement (Rousseau 61). Rousseau argues that all society exist s because people cast willingly granted set and privilege to their ruler. When this agreement is broken, the ruling power is invalid.In The Declaration of Independence, Jefferson cites twenty-six examples of comportions interpreted by the British monarchy that acts against the authority the American Colonies granted them. These form the radical of the declaration. Jefferson restates his thinking again saying, A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be ruler of a free People. (Jefferson 83). Jefferson indirectly borrows from Rousseaus argument against competency into Right.Rousseau says that this thinking reverses the process of cause and effect. So soon as we disobey without impunity, noncompliance becomes legitimate. And, since the Mightiest is always right, it merely remains for us to become possessed of Might (Rousseau 62). In this passage Rousseau contends that might, or strength, is not a moral sanction. Rousseau conte nds that Right to govern can change when it is compromised. Jefferson uses this same line of thinking to let off the separation of the colonies from the British crown. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, act invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them nether absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new Guards for their future security (Jefferson 80,81). Jefferson contends that the chain of abuses brought by the British crown has compromised their moral authority and on that pointfore, their Right to rule over the colonies. In Jeffersons mind, the physical Might of the British is controversial in considering the colonies right to establish a new government.Interestingly, there is another opportunity for Jefferson to incorporate Rousseaus philosophies into the declaration. Rousseau talks about slaveholding as an institution in The Origin of Civil Society. The original draft of the Declaration refers to the British crowns introduction of slavery in the United States as mavin of the immoral principles justifying independence from the monarchy. In other words, one of the fundamental paradoxes of Jeffersons personal and political life has been his attitude toward slavery. (Jacobus77).Jeffersons position and actions on slavery have become the most controversial aspects of his legacy. It is not surprising that Rousseaus philosophies malarkey to the beginnings of both the American and French revolution. Jefferson and the other members of the Continental Congress have become capable of molding these thoughts into a document that will act as a philosophical outline for the founding of the United States. The Declaration of Independence allows the founding fathers an opportunity to build on some of the prude ethics of the founding new