Isabella Carter
All men are created equal is a phrase that has had a profound impact on democratic constitutions and human rights instruments worldwide. It originated in the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, and has since been considered a hallmark of liberty and equality. The phrase reflects Enlightenment philosophy and the belief in inherent equality and individual liberty, with similar ideas traced back to earlier works emphasizing human dignity and worth. Despite its fame and influence, the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, but it inspired the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which enumerated and enforced these fundamental freedoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Part of the US Constitution | No, it is part of the Declaration of Independence |
| Influence | Influenced by George Mason's draft, John Locke's theory of natural rights, and Thomas Day's writings |
| Interpretation | Interpreted as referring to all of humanity, but some argue it excludes women and children |
| Legacy | Considered a "hallmark statement" in democratic constitutions and human rights instruments |
| Usage | Used by prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to demand equality |
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What You'll Learn
- The phrase all men are created equal is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions
- The phrase is derived from John Locke's theory of natural rights
- The Declaration of Independence, which contains the phrase, is not legally binding
- The phrase was used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his I Have a Dream speech
- The phrase was criticised by slave owners and supporters of slavery
The phrase all men are created equal is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions
The phrase "all men are created equal" is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions. It has been called an "immortal declaration" and perhaps the single phrase of the American Revolutionary period with the greatest "continuing importance". The phrase is derived from Enlightenment philosophy, reflecting John Locke's belief in inherent equality and individual liberty. The concept of equality has been interpreted differently, with some arguing that it was meant to exclude women and children, while others believe it refers to humanity as a whole.
Thomas Jefferson, in writing the Declaration of Independence, included this phrase, believing it to be self-evident. The Declaration, while not legally binding, has been a powerful influence on American identity and government. It served as a foundation for the Bill of Rights, which provided legal enforceability to the liberties alluded to in the Declaration. The phrase "all men are created equal" has been adopted in various forms in subsequent declarations of rights and constitutions worldwide, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and Germany's Basic Laws.
The sentiment of equality has been a driving force in the pursuit of freedom and equality for all. Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, referred to the Declaration as "a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression," and Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the phrase as part of the "American dream." Despite criticism and differing interpretations, the phrase continues to be a rallying cry for those striving for equal rights and social justice.
The phrase "all men are created equal" has had a significant impact on the development of democratic constitutions and human rights instruments, shaping the understanding of equality and liberty in modern societies. It embodies the hopes and dreams of those seeking equality and has become a symbol of the democratic ideals that many countries strive to uphold.
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The phrase is derived from John Locke's theory of natural rights
The phrase "all men are created equal" is considered one of the most famous phrases in American history, if not world history. It is a part of the Declaration of Independence, which is one of the three most important documents in American history, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence has three parts: a preamble, a second part listing the sins of the King of Great Britain, and a third part that declares independence from Britain. The phrase "all men are created equal" is in the preamble, which was largely ignored at the time but later became the most famous part of the document.
The influence of Locke's ideas can be seen in the writings of Thomas Jefferson, who applied the concept in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence. In his draft, Jefferson wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." This phrase has been called an "immortal declaration" and considered one of the most important phrases of the American Revolutionary period.
The phrase "all men are created equal" has had a significant impact on subsequent declarations of rights and constitutions around the world. It has been adopted or adapted in numerous documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Germany's Basic Laws, and the Constitution of Algeria, among others. The phrase often serves as the first or one of the first rights listed in these documents, emphasizing that all subsequent rights apply equally to every person.
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The Declaration of Independence, which contains the phrase, is not legally binding
The Declaration of Independence is a document that expressed the fundamental freedoms of the American people. It contains the famous phrase "all men are created equal", which is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions. The Declaration, however, is not legally binding. While it has been brought up in legal contexts, it is primarily understood as a symbolic text.
The Declaration of Independence, drafted in 1776, is one of the three most important documents in American history, along with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration contains a preamble, a list of grievances against the King of Great Britain, and a declaration of independence from Britain. The preamble, which includes the phrase "all men are created equal", was largely ignored at the time but later became the most famous part of the document.
The phrase "all men are created equal" is attributed to Thomas Jefferson, who was inspired by John Locke's theory of natural rights. Jefferson believed that the phrase was self-evident and would ultimately resolve slavery. However, Jefferson and other signatories of the Declaration owned slaves, creating a contradiction between their personal conduct and the ideals expressed in the document.
Despite not being legally binding, the Declaration of Independence has had a significant influence on legal rhetoric and constitutional interpretation. It has been referenced in court cases and used by legal theorists in their arguments. For example, Lincoln quoted the principles of equal rights set forth in the Declaration as a justification for abolishing slavery. Additionally, the Declaration's language was echoed in subsequent declarations of rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In conclusion, while the Declaration of Independence is not legally binding, it has played a crucial role in shaping American ideals and values. It continues to inspire and inform discussions around liberty and equality, both in the United States and internationally.
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The phrase was used by Martin Luther King Jr. in his I Have a Dream speech
The phrase "all men are created equal" is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions and similar human rights instruments. It was first written by Thomas Jefferson in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence. The phrase reflects the influence of John Locke's second treatise on government, particularly his belief in the inherent equality and individual liberty of all people.
Martin Luther King Jr. used this phrase in his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. More than 200,000 people of all races attended to demand equal rights for African Americans. In his speech, King emphasised the phrase as part of the "American dream", expressing his hope that the nation would one day live up to its creed:
> "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
King's use of the phrase served as a powerful reminder of the unfulfilled promises made by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. He envisioned an America where people of all races and backgrounds could live together in freedom and democracy, and where his children would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by their character.
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The phrase was criticised by slave owners and supporters of slavery
The phrase "All men are created equal" is considered a hallmark statement in democratic constitutions and similar human rights instruments. The phrase, or variants of it, have been incorporated into numerous subsequent declarations of rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Germany's Basic Laws, and the Constitution of Algeria, among others.
The contradiction between the claim that "all men are created equal" and the existence of American slavery, including Thomas Jefferson himself owning slaves, attracted comment when the Declaration of Independence was first published. Before its final approval, Congress deleted nearly a fourth of the draft, including a passage criticising the slave trade. Many members of Congress at that time were slave owners, which clearly influenced their decision to remove the controversial "anti-slavery" passage.
The phrase has also been criticised on grounds of racism. Nikole Hannah-Jones, writing in The New York Times, noted that "the white men who drafted those words did not believe them to be true for the hundreds of thousands of black people in their midst." Similarly, historian Nicholas Guyatt criticised the "long exile of blacks and Indians from 'all men are created equal'", and historian John Hope Franklin stated that "Jefferson didn't mean it when he wrote that all men are created equal. We've never meant it. The truth is we're a bigoted people and always have been".
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Frequently asked questions
No, the phrase "all men are created equal" is part of the Declaration of Independence, not the US Constitution. The phrase is in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, which is not legally binding.
The phrase "all men are created equal" is derived from Enlightenment philosophy and John Locke's second treatise on government. Locke's belief in the inherent equality and individual liberty of all people is reflected in the phrase.
The phrase "all men are created equal" has been called an "immortal declaration" and is considered one of the most famous phrases in American and world history. It embodies the ideals of liberty and equality that are fundamental to the American creed and has inspired people worldwide to fight for freedom and equality.
