The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, and the Declaration of Sentiments, written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1848, are two foundational documents in American history. Both documents include similar language and allusions to reinforce a certain message: that there should be self-evident rights and freedoms that all people deserve, regardless of their gender or nationality. This article will explore why Jefferson and Stanton chose to include these similar excerpts in their documents.

The Declaration of Independence: Allusions in Thomas Jefferson’s Writing

Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was a revolutionary document that declared the United States of America independent from Great Britain. He used allusions to reinforce his argument that certain rights were “inalienable” and should be enjoyed by all people. For example, he 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…” This allusion to the “self-evident” truths echoed the language of the United States Bill of Rights, which stated, “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

Jefferson’s use of allusions was meant to emphasize the idea that certain rights were inherent to all people, regardless of their nationality or gender. By using language from the Bill of Rights, he was perhaps implying that these rights should be recognized not just for Americans, but for all people.

The Declaration of Sentiments: Allusions in Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Writing

Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Declaration of Sentiments was written in response to the Declaration of Independence. In her document, she made several references to Jefferson’s original document, including the phrase “all men and women are created equal.” She further supplemented this phrase with her own allusions, writing, “The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman.”

Stanton’s allusions to the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights were intended to draw attention to the fact that women were still not granted the same rights as men. She wanted to emphasize the idea that these same rights and freedoms were something all people should be entitled to, regardless of gender. By referencing the Declaration of Independence, Stanton was implying that women deserved the same respect and freedoms as men, and that those rights should not be denied simply based on gender.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Thomas Jefferson and Elizabeth Cady Stanton included similar language and allusions in their documents to emphasize the idea of self-evident rights and freedoms that all people should be entitled to, regardless of their nationality or gender. By referencing the language of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Bill of Rights, Jefferson and Stanton were trying to draw attention to the fact that these rights should apply to everyone.