Did Franklin edit the Declaration of Independence?

Did Franklin edit the Declaration of Independence?

Benjamin Franklin primarily served as the editor of the Declaration of Independence. His changes were believed to have been minimal, but, when the document went before the entire Continental Congress, the draft was more thoroughly changed by the larger body from Jefferson’s original text.

What were the changes in the Declaration of Independence?

America’s independence signaled a fundamental change: once-dependent British colonies became independent states that could make war, create alliances with foreign nations, and engage freely in commerce.

Who was involved in the drafting of the declaration of Independence?

Second Continental Congress In June of 1776, the Committee of Five—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston—was charged by the Committee of the Whole with the responsibility of authoring a draft of the Declaration of Independence—just in casethe Lee Resolutionwere approved.

What did the Congress change in the declaration of Independence?

The Congress made a number of changes, and to Jefferson’s absolute horror, removed his section on slavery. Jefferson would look back years later on the change, obviously quite perturbed by it. This page shows the changes made over the course of the Declaration’s drafting and revisions.

How many edits were made to the declaration of Independence?

Jefferson finished his timeless defense of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in little more than two weeks, and like most writers, he was no stranger to the revision process. Between the Committee of Five and the Second Continental Congress, there were 86 edits to the document.

Who are the members of the declaration of Independence?

Jefferson is the tall person depositing the Declaration of Independence on the table. Benjamin Franklin sits to his right. John Hancock (1737–1793) sits behind the table. Fellow committee members, John Adams, Roger Sherman (1721–1793), and Robert R. Livingston (1746–1813) stand (left to right) behind Jefferson.