The American Revolution, an Enduring Paradox

By Benton County Historical Society

Benton County Historical Society

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson famously wrote that “all men are created equal” and are given unalienable rights such as “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” These powerful words have inspired people around the world. However, when Jefferson wrote them in 1776, they did not apply to everyone living in America. Slavery was still legal, only white men could vote, and Native Americans were being forced off their lands and killed. Because of this, Jefferson’s statement about equality was more of an aspiration for the future than a reality at the time.

Abraham Lincoln later argued that the phrase “all men are created equal” did not cover all people but “was placed in the Declaration for future use.” He believed it set a standard that the nation would continue working toward. The main purpose of the Declaration in 1776 was to unite the thirteen colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. It listed complaints against King George III, making judges dependent on his will, sending officers to harass colonists, and denying trial by jury. Those grievances helped justify the colonies’ decision to separate.

The document also included harsh language about Native Americans, calling them “merciless Indian Savages.” Historian Ned Blackhawk asks how a nation built on land taken from Indigenous peoples can be seen as a model democracy. This question continues to challenge Americans today.

The Declaration of Independence has become a powerful and almost mythic document. Americans have debated its meaning for generations, especially the promise that “all men are created equal.” While the nation has made progress, the struggle to fully achieve those ideals continues.

William G. Robbins is emeritus distinguished professor at Oregon State University, where he served from 1971 until 2002. He is the author and editor of several books on Oregon and the American West and currently serves on our board of directors. Don’t miss his lecture on the American Revolution, offered on two dates at both the Corvallis Museum and Philomath Museum in Spring 2026!